In a single slit diffraction experiment, a slit of width (0.016 0.002) mm is used to measure the wavelength of a monochromatic light source. In the diffraction pattern, the angular distance between the central maximum and first minimum is measured to be (2 40'). The value of the fractional error in the measurement of wavelength is: [Given: (2 )=0.035]
Answer
0.43 to 0.50
Solution
Key idea: first minimum a = = aa+ .
aa= 0.0020.016=0.125.
=40'= 23 = 23 180=0.01164 rad; 2 10.035=28.6.
28.6 0.01164=0.333 (equivalently = 40'120'= 13 for small ).
=0.125+0.333 0.46.
Answer: 0.46 (accepted range 0.43 to 0.50)