Chapter 33, Problem 1CQ

To determine

To draw : A graph to show how the light-intensity pattern will appear if the right slit is blocked, allowing light go through only the left slit. Explain your reasoning.

Explanation of Solution

Given:

In the given figure it shows light waves passing through two closely spaced, narrow slits. The graph shows the intensity of light on a screen behind the slits.

  

  Figure.1

The plot of the intensity versus position of the light passing through two closely spaced slits shows that all the maxima are equally spaced. If the right slit is blocked and the light allowed passing through the left slit, light rays will undergo diffraction.

  

In the figure, point 0 represents the position of the central maxima.

The intensity of light gradually decreases as we move away from the center which the point of central maxima is. Also, alternative bright and dark fringes are formed with unequal spacing because, in diffraction phenomenon, the width of the maxima decreases.

Conclusion:

So, we can conclude that the diffraction will occur if the right slit is blocked and the light passes through the left slit.