High School

A beam of monochromatic light of wavelength 645 nm is projected through a circular opening 2.1 mm wide. Find the width of the beam (in mm) at a distance 8 meters away.

Answer :

The width of the beam at a distance of 8 meters away is approximately 3096 μm or 3.096 mm

we need to consider the principles of diffraction. Diffraction occurs when light waves encounter an obstacle or aperture.

In this case, we have a circular opening with a width of 2.1 mm and a monochromatic light beam with a wavelength of 645 nm (or 0.645 μm). The width of the beam at a distance can be calculated using the formula:

w = (λ * D) / d

where w is the width of the beam, λ is the wavelength of light, D is the distance from the circular opening to the measurement point (8 meters in this case), and d is the width of the circular opening.

Plugging in the given values, we have:

w = (0.645 μm * 8 m) / 2.1 mm

Converting the units, we get:

w = (0.645 μm * 8000 mm) / 2.1 mm
w = 3096 μm

Therefore, the width of the beam at a distance of 8 meters away is approximately 3096 μm or 3.096 mm.

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