WAVES & SOUND · LAB 16

Diffraction through openings

Change wavelength and aperture size to see waves spread, interfere and form far-field intensity patterns.

RATIO a/λ2.00

smaller means stronger spreading

FIRST MINIMUM30.0°

sin θ = λ/a

OPENING TYPESingle slit

FAR-FIELD INTENSITY

WHAT TO NOTICE

Small openings spread waves

When an opening is comparable with the wavelength, each point across it acts like a secondary source. Their interference determines the pattern beyond the barrier.

a sin θ = λ