Question

What is central maximum diffraction?

Answer 1

Hint: When a ray of light strikes an object such that it bends around the corners or the edges to form a shadow is known as diffraction of light. For diffraction to take place, light needs to be in contact with some object or obstacle.

Complete step by step solution:
When the ray of light from an object or an obstacle strikes the slit, it bends due to the phenomenon of diffraction. When two crests or two troughs meet, it forms a region of high intensity and hence a maxima is formed. But when a crest and a trough of two different waves meet, it forms a region of low intensity and hence a minima is formed.

The central maximum diffraction is the brightest portion of the diffraction pattern where the intensity is maximum. It is there exactly at the center or in other words it is present at the zero level. In case of central maximum diffraction, dark and bright lines are there. The wavelength of light falling should be of the size of the object for the phenomenon of diffraction to take place.

The central maximum is the distance of the first minima from both sides to the center of the screen. The formula of maxima is written as:
$\theta = (n+\dfrac{1}{2})\dfrac{\lambda}{a}$
Here, $n=\pm 1, \pm 2,\pm 3.......$
And the formula of minima is given by,
$\theta=n \dfrac{\lambda}{a}$
Here, $n=\pm 1, \pm 2,\pm 3.......$

Note:It is important to note that as we move away from the center, the intensity of the light becomes weaker and weaker. For diffraction patterns to take place, the source of light should be monochromatic.