Answered: Light from a distant point source is…

College Physics

11th Edition

ISBN:9781305952300

Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille

Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille

Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...

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**Light from a Distant Point Source**

Light from a distant point source is incident on a narrow slit. The graphs show the intensity on a distant screen as a function of θ. The only difference among the three cases is the width of the slit. The vertical scale has been normalized so that the maximum intensity is the same for all three cases.

**Questions:**

1. Which curve is produced by the largest slit?
- A. #1
- B. #3
- C. #2
- D. not enough information

2. Which curve is produced by the smallest slit?
- A. #1
- B. #3
- C. #2
- D. not enough information

**Graphs:**

The text refers to graphs showing light intensity as a function of angle θ. However, the image does not provide visual graphs, and the necessary details about the specific appearance or arrangement of the curves are not included. The focus is on comparing three cases of slit width based on the graphs, with visual interpretation needed if graphs were present.

$The graph depicts the variation of normalized intensity as a function of the angle to the screen (θ). 1. **Axes**: - **Horizontal Axis (x-axis)**: Represents the angle to the screen (θ). It is likely measured in degrees or radians, although the specific units are not indicated. - **Vertical Axis (y-axis)**: Represents the normalized intensity, ranging from 0.0 to 1.0. 2. **Curves**: - **Curve #1 (Green)**: A line that starts at 0 on the left, rises to 1.0 at the center and symmetrically declines to 0 on the right. It depicts a broad peak centered at θ = 0, characterized by a smooth, parabolic shape. - **Curve #2 (Purple)**: Displays a sharp peak centered at θ = 0 with smaller side lobes, indicating a high intensity at the center with decreasing intensity at larger angles. - **Curve #3 (Black)**: Also has a sharp central peak at θ = 0, similar to Curve #2, but with the narrowest profile and more pronounced side lobes. 3. **Overall Description**: - The graph compares three different curves, each representing variations in normalized intensity with respect to the angle. Curve #1 shows a broader distribution of intensity, while Curves #2 and #3 depict sharper central peaks with different levels of side lobes, showing distinctions in how intensity is distributed around θ = 0. This visualization is likely illustrating a concept related to wave phenomena, such as diffraction patterns or interference, where angles correlate with the spread of intensity from a central maximum.$

Transcribed Image Text:The graph depicts the variation of normalized intensity as a function of the angle to the screen (θ). 1. **Axes**: - **Horizontal Axis (x-axis)**: Represents the angle to the screen (θ). It is likely measured in degrees or radians, although the specific units are not indicated. - **Vertical Axis (y-axis)**: Represents the normalized intensity, ranging from 0.0 to 1.0. 2. **Curves**: - **Curve #1 (Green)**: A line that starts at 0 on the left, rises to 1.0 at the center and symmetrically declines to 0 on the right. It depicts a broad peak centered at θ = 0, characterized by a smooth, parabolic shape. - **Curve #2 (Purple)**: Displays a sharp peak centered at θ = 0 with smaller side lobes, indicating a high intensity at the center with decreasing intensity at larger angles. - **Curve #3 (Black)**: Also has a sharp central peak at θ = 0, similar to Curve #2, but with the narrowest profile and more pronounced side lobes. 3. **Overall Description**: - The graph compares three different curves, each representing variations in normalized intensity with respect to the angle. Curve #1 shows a broader distribution of intensity, while Curves #2 and #3 depict sharper central peaks with different levels of side lobes, showing distinctions in how intensity is distributed around θ = 0. This visualization is likely illustrating a concept related to wave phenomena, such as diffraction patterns or interference, where angles correlate with the spread of intensity from a central maximum.

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