In a single slit diffraction experiment, slit of width ' a ' is illuminated by light of wavelength ' ' and the width of the central maxima in diffraction pattern is measured as ' y '. When half of the slit is covered and illuminated by light of wavelength (1 5) , the width of the central maximum in diffraction pattern becomes

Step-by-step solution

Width of central maximum with half-slit covered and increased wavelength The single-slit diffraction pattern's central maximum width is given by y = 2D a , where D is the screen distance, is wavelength, and a is slit width. When the slit width is halved, a' = a 2 , and wavelength becomes ' = 1.5 , the new width is: y' = 2D ' a' = 2D(1.5 ) a/2 = 2D 1.5 2 a = 3 2D a = 3y The central maximum width increases to three times the original value. Final answer: 3y