top of page
Interactive Simulations for Teaching Physics
Single-Slit Diffraction
Authors: Ms. Giselle dos Santos Castro - Federal University of Ceara - UFC
Dr. Nildo Loiola Dias - Federal University of Ceara - UFC
CONTROLS:
- Choose the light color (wavelength) from 3 possibilities.
- Choose a simple slit from three possibilities.
- Adjust the distance between the slit and the screen on the available cursor.
- Click the SHOW RULER button to get a ruler that can be moved to the desired position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SIMULATION:
This simulation allows to study the diffraction of light in a single slit. There are three choices of wavelengths (colors) and only the wavelength of red light is known. There are three single slits of different widths. Using light of known wavelength, it is possible to determine the width of the slits. Knowing the width of the slits it is possible to determine the wavelengths of green light and blue light. A slider allows you to vary the distance between the slit and the screen, allowing you to position the screen in order to obtain a sharper diffraction pattern when necessary. The diffraction pattern generated on the screen can be viewed frontally. A ruler allows you to measure the necessary distances.
For an analysis of the data, consult one of the proposed ACTIVITY GUIDE.
bottom of page