A flat screen is located 0.63 m away from a single slit. Light with a wavelength of 550 nm (in vacuum) shines through the slit and produces a diffraction pattern. The width of the central bright fringe on the screen is 0.053 m. What is the width of the slit?

1.308 * 10^ (-5) m

Explanation:

We apply the condition for a single slit experiment:

y = (λ * D) / a

Where y = half width of fringe

λ = wavelength of light

D = distance of slit from screen

a = width of slit

We need to find a, so we make a the subject of formula:

a = (λ * D) / y

From the question:

λ = 550 nm = 550 * 10^ (-9) m

D = 0.63 m

y = 0.053 / 2 = 0.0265 m

Therefore:

a = (550 * 10^ (-9) * 0.63) / 0.0265

a = 1.308 * 10^ (-5) m

The width of the slit is 1.308 * 10^ (-5) m