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9.2 – Single-slit diffraction
Description
Nature of science:
Development of theories: When light passes through an aperture the summation of all parts of the wave leads to an intensity pattern that is far removed from the geometrical shadow that simple theory predicts. (1.9)
Understandings:
- The nature of single-slit diffraction
Applications and skills:
- Describing the effect of slit width on the diffraction pattern
- Determining the position of first interference minimum
- Qualitatively describing single-slit diffraction patterns produced from white light and from a range of monochromatic light frequencies
Guidance:
- Only rectangular slits need to be considered
- Diffraction around an object (rather than through a slit) does not need to be considered in this sub-topic (see Physics sub-topic 4.4)
- Students will be expected to be aware of the approximate ratios of successive intensity maxima for single-slit interference patterns
- Calculations will be limited to a determination of the position of the first minimum for single-slit interference patterns using the approximation equation
Data booklet reference:
Theory of knowledge:
- Are explanations in science different from explanations in other areas of knowledge such as history?
Utilization:
- X-ray diffraction is an important tool of the crystallographer and the material scientist
Aims:
- Aim 2: this topic provides a body of knowledge that characterizes the way that science is subject to modification with time
- Aim 6: experiments can be combined with those from sub-topics 4.4 and 9.3
Directly related questions
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17N.2.HL.TZ0.6a.iii:
Calculate the separation of the two slits.
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17N.2.HL.TZ0.6a.iii:
Calculate the separation of the two slits.
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17N.2.HL.TZ0.a.iii:
Calculate the separation of the two slits.
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21M.1.HL.TZ1.27:
The diagram shows the diffraction pattern for light passing through a single slit.
What is
A. 0.01
B. 0.02
C. 1
D. 2
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21M.1.HL.TZ1.27:
The diagram shows the diffraction pattern for light passing through a single slit.
What is
A. 0.01
B. 0.02
C. 1
D. 2
- 18M.1.HL.TZ2.25: A beam of monochromatic light is incident on a single slit and a diffraction pattern forms on the...
- 18M.1.HL.TZ2.25: A beam of monochromatic light is incident on a single slit and a diffraction pattern forms on the...
- 21N.1.HL.TZ0.27: When monochromatic light is incident on a single slit a diffraction pattern forms on a...
- 21N.1.HL.TZ0.27: When monochromatic light is incident on a single slit a diffraction pattern forms on a...
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19M.2.HL.TZ2.8cii:
Show that, due to single slit diffraction, the intensity at a point on the screen a distance of 28 mm from M is zero.
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19M.2.HL.TZ2.8cii:
Show that, due to single slit diffraction, the intensity at a point on the screen a distance of 28 mm from M is zero.
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19M.2.HL.TZ2.cii:
Show that, due to single slit diffraction, the intensity at a point on the screen a distance of 28 mm from M is zero.
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22N.2.HL.TZ0.7a.iii:
The following data are available.
Wavelength of light = 590 nm
Distance between the slit and the screen = 2.4 m
Width of the slit = 0.10 mm
Calculate distance PQ.
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22N.2.HL.TZ0.7a.iii:
The following data are available.
Wavelength of light = 590 nm
Distance between the slit and the screen = 2.4 m
Width of the slit = 0.10 mm
Calculate distance PQ.
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22N.2.HL.TZ0.a.iii:
The following data are available.
Wavelength of light = 590 nm
Distance between the slit and the screen = 2.4 m
Width of the slit = 0.10 mm
Calculate distance PQ.
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22N.2.HL.TZ0.7a.i:
The intensity of light at point O is . The distance OP is .
Sketch, on the axes, a graph to show the variation of the intensity of light with distance from point O on the screen. Your graph should cover the distance range from 0 to 2.
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22N.2.HL.TZ0.7a.i:
The intensity of light at point O is . The distance OP is .
Sketch, on the axes, a graph to show the variation of the intensity of light with distance from point O on the screen. Your graph should cover the distance range from 0 to 2.
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22N.2.HL.TZ0.a.i:
The intensity of light at point O is . The distance OP is .
Sketch, on the axes, a graph to show the variation of the intensity of light with distance from point O on the screen. Your graph should cover the distance range from 0 to 2.
- 19N.1.HL.TZ0.27: Light of frequency 500 THz is incident on a single slit and forms a diffraction pattern. The...
- 19N.1.HL.TZ0.27: Light of frequency 500 THz is incident on a single slit and forms a diffraction pattern. The...
- 19N.2.HL.TZ0.10c(i): Draw, on the axes, the variation with diffraction angle of the intensity of light incident on the...
- 19N.2.HL.TZ0.10c(i): Draw, on the axes, the variation with diffraction angle of the intensity of light incident on the...
- 19N.2.HL.TZ0.c(i): Draw, on the axes, the variation with diffraction angle of the intensity of light incident on the...
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21M.1.HL.TZ2.29:
Monochromatic light of wavelength passes through a single-slit of width and produces a diffraction pattern on a screen. Which combination of changes to and will cause the greatest decrease in the width of the central maximum?
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21M.1.HL.TZ2.29:
Monochromatic light of wavelength passes through a single-slit of width and produces a diffraction pattern on a screen. Which combination of changes to and will cause the greatest decrease in the width of the central maximum?
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22M.1.HL.TZ1.30:
Light of wavelength is diffracted after passing through a very narrow single slit of width . The intensity of the central maximum of the diffracted light is . The slit width is doubled.
What is the intensity of central maximum and the angular position of the first minimum?
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22M.1.HL.TZ1.30:
Light of wavelength is diffracted after passing through a very narrow single slit of width . The intensity of the central maximum of the diffracted light is . The slit width is doubled.
What is the intensity of central maximum and the angular position of the first minimum?
- 23M.1.HL.TZ2.14: An electromagnetic wave enters a medium of lower refractive index. Three statements are...
- 23M.1.HL.TZ2.14: An electromagnetic wave enters a medium of lower refractive index. Three statements are...
- 23M.1.HL.TZ2.29: Monochromatic light is incident on a single slit to form a diffraction pattern on a screen. The...
- 23M.1.HL.TZ2.29: Monochromatic light is incident on a single slit to form a diffraction pattern on a screen. The...
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23M.2.HL.TZ2.3a:
Explain the pattern seen on the screen.
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23M.2.HL.TZ2.3a:
Explain the pattern seen on the screen.
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23M.2.HL.TZ2.a:
Explain the pattern seen on the screen.