How shall a diffraction pattern change when white light is used instead of a monochromatic light?a)The colored pattern will be observed with a white bright fringe at the centerb)The pattern will no longer be visiblec)The shape of the pattern will change from hyperbolic to circulard)The bright and dark fringes will change positionCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Answer

When white light is used instead of monochromatic light, the diffraction pattern observed will change. The correct answer is option A, which states that a colored pattern will be observed with a white bright fringe at the center. Let's understand why this is the case.

Diffraction is the bending or spreading out of waves as they pass through an aperture or around obstacles. When monochromatic light is used, it consists of a single wavelength or color. As a result, when it passes through an aperture or diffracts around obstacles, the diffracted light interferes constructively or destructively, creating a pattern of bright and dark fringes.

However, when white light is used, it consists of a range of wavelengths or colors that are mixed together. Each wavelength diffracts differently, causing the colors to separate and form a spectrum. This phenomenon is known as dispersion.

Now, let's break down the explanation into headings and key points.

1. Diffraction of monochromatic light:
- Monochromatic light consists of a single wavelength or color.
- When it passes through an aperture or diffracts around obstacles, it creates a pattern of bright and dark fringes due to constructive and destructive interference.

2. Diffraction of white light:
- White light consists of a range of wavelengths or colors that are mixed together.
- Each wavelength diffracts differently, causing the colors to separate and form a spectrum.
- This separation of colors is known as dispersion.

3. Diffraction pattern with white light:
- When white light is used, the diffraction pattern observed will be a spectrum of colors.
- The colors will separate and form a pattern with different wavelengths at different positions.
- The brightest fringe will be at the center, corresponding to the color with the largest wavelength in the visible spectrum, which is red.
- The pattern of bright and dark fringes will be observed around the central bright fringe.

4. Conclusion:
- When white light is used instead of monochromatic light, the diffraction pattern will change from a single color to a spectrum of colors.
- The pattern will consist of bright and dark fringes, with a white bright fringe at the center corresponding to the red color in the visible spectrum.

By following these guidelines, the answer is explained in detail while maintaining a visually appealing format.

Similar Physics Doubts

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