Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 36 - Diffraction - Problems - Page 1113: 53a

Answer

$470\;nm$

Work Step by Step

Light will pass through the hole, if any diffraction maxima occurs at the position of hole. Here, $d=\frac{1}{350}\;mm=\frac{10^{-3}}{350}\;m$ $D=30\;cm=300\;mm$ For the inner edge of the hole $\tan\theta=\frac{50}{300}=\frac{1}{6}$ $\implies \theta=9.46^{\circ}$ Now, $d\sin\theta=m\lambda$ or, $m=\frac{d\sin\theta}{\lambda}$ Substituting the known values or, $m=\frac{10^{-3}\times\sin9.46^{\circ}}{350\times\lambda}$ or, $m=\frac{470\times10^{-9}}{\lambda}$ The wavelength of white light is $\gt400\;nm=400\times10^{-9}\;m$ Therefore, m = 1 is allowed, when $\lambda=470\;nm$ which is the shortest wavelength of the light that passes through the hole.
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