If the measured angular separation between the second minimum to the left of the central maximum and the third minimum to the right of the central maximum is 30∘ in a single slit diffraction pattern recorded using 628 nm light, then the width of the slit is _______ μm.
Answer: 6
Solution
Single-slit minima satisfy asinθ=nλ. The second minimum on one side and the third on the other together subtend θ2+θ3=30∘, and for small angles a2λ+a3λ=a5λ=6π. Solving, a=π5λ×6=π30×628×10−9≈6×10−6 m, a slit width of 6 μm.