Diffraction Experiment

Determine the diameter of hair using the hair diffraction pattern.

1. Toy laser pointer

2. one strand of your own hair

3. measuring tape

1. Attach the hair to the laser pointer

2. Make sure the laser hit the hair for the diffraction pattern to be observed

3. Shine the laser to the wall and you will observe a diffraction pattern on the wall

4. Adjust the distance of the laser pointer and the wall until the best image of the diffraction pattern is observed (1- 2 m )

5. If the screen is too close, the fringe becomes too close together and it is too far it will introduce greater uncertainty to the measurement. decide what is the best distance for your experiment.

6. Marks the central bright and the 8 consecutive dark fringes on the wall (make sure the marking can be removed later).

7. Measure the distance of the dark fringes from the central bright

8. Record the measurement in the table

9. Use appropriate equation graphing tools to analyze your result.

10. State the significance of your finding.