IB skill practice

Analyse diffraction patterns quantitatively

Paper 1, Paper 2 5 marks Difficulty 3

Central maximum width

A single-slit pattern in a school laboratory oscillator has wavelength \(0\,\text{m}\), screen distance \(0.85\,\text{m}\), and slit width \(0\,\text{m}\). Estimate the central maximum width. Enter the numerical result and choose the interpretation that matches the wave physics.

Worked practice: physics data and result

Read the physical quantities first, then calculate the result and state what it means.