Single-slit diffraction

Understandings:

• Diffraction through a single-slit and around objects
• The nature of single-slit diffraction

Applications and skills:

• Describing the effect of slit width on the diffraction pattern
• Qualitatively describing the diffraction pattern formed when plane waves are incident normally on a single-slit
• Determining the position of firstinterference minimum
• Qualitatively describing single-slit diffraction patterns produced from white light and from a range of monochromatic light frequencies

Guidance:

• Only rectangular slits need to be considered
• Students will be expected to be aware of the approximate ratios of successive intensity maxima for single-slit interference patterns
• Calculations will be limited to a determination of the position of the first minimum for single-slit interference patterns using the approximation equation
• Diffraction around an object (rather than through a slit) does not need to be considered in this sub-topic