PHYSICS

PROJECT
DIFFRACTION OF
LIGHT

By
Abhishek
 CERTIFICATE
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THIS PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT ON THE TOPIC “DIFFRACTION OF LIGHT” HAS
BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED BY “Abhishek” OF
CLASS XII-A UNDER GUIDANCE OF PHYSICS TEACHER
HONOURABLE MADAM “MRS.VASUDHA RATHORE”. IN
PARTICULAR FULFILMENT OF CURRICULUM OF CENTRAL
BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION [CBSE] LEADING TO
ANNUAL EXAMINATION OF YEAR 2024-2025.
AKNOWLEDGEMENT
I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SPECIAL THANKS OF
GRATITUDE TO MY TEACHER MRS. VASUDHA RATHORE
WHO GAVE ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS
WONDERFUL PROJECT ON THE TOPIC “DIFFRACTION OF
LIGHT” WHICH HEPED ME IN DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH
AND I CAME TO KNOW ABOUT SO MANY THINGS. I AM
ALSO THANKFUL TO MY HONOURABLE LAB INCHARGE SIR
“MR. ARVID” WHO HAS ALSO HELPED ME IN COMPLETING
THIS PROJECT. SECONDLY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANKS MY
FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO HELPED IN FINALIZING THIS
PROJECT WITHIN THE LIMITED TIME FRAME.
 INDEX
S.NO. CONTENT T.SIGN
1. AIM
2. MATERIALS REQUIRED
3. INTRODUCTION
4. THEORY
5. OBJECTIVE
6. PROCEDURE
7. OBSERVATIONS
8. CALCULATIONS
9. OBSERVATION TABLE
10. CONCLUSION
11. PRECAUTION
12. LIMITATIONS
13. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 AIM
The aim of this project is to study the phenomenon of
diffraction of light, to understand the principles behind it,
and to demonstrate how diffraction patterns are formed
through different experimental setups.
 MATERIALS
REQUIRED
Laser Light Source: A red laser is commonly used for
diffraction experiments because it provides a coherent light
source with a well-defined wavelength (around 650 nm)
Three Wires of Different Thicknesses: These wires serve as
the obstacles through which the light will pass. Each wire
should have a distinctly different thickness to ensure a
variety of diffraction patterns.
Measuring Tape or Scale: This is used to measure the
distance between the laser, wire, and screen.
Screen: A flat white surface (such as a wall or a screen) on
which the diffraction pattern will be projected and
observed.
Ruler: To measure the width of the fringes in the diffraction
pattern.
Wire Stand: To securely hold the wire in place in the path of
the laser beam.
INTRODUCTION
Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that exhibits
both wave-like and particle-like properties. Diffraction is
one of the phenomena that demonstrate the wave nature of
light. It occurs when light waves encounter an obstacle or a
slit that is comparable in size to the wavelength of the light.
As a result, the light bends around the edges of the obstacle
or spreads out as it passes through the slit, leading to the
formation of a diffraction pattern.
The study of diffraction provides insights into the wave
properties of light, such as wavelength and interference. It
also plays a crucial role in various scientific and
technological applications, including the design of optical
instruments, analysis of light sources, and the study of
materials at microscopic scales.
Diffraction is the bending or spreading of waves when they
encounter an obstacle or aperture. In the case of light,
diffraction is the result of the interference of light waves
that spread out after passing through slits or around
obstacles
 Diffraction is a phenomenon that occurs when a wave
encounters an obstacle or opening that disrupts its path. In
the case of light, diffraction occurs when light waves pass
through or around obstacles like slits, edges, or even fine
wires, causing the light to spread out and form interference
patterns. This behavior is characteristic of all wave
phenomena, including sound, water, and light waves.

Types of Diffraction:
Single-slit diffraction: When light passes through a single
narrow slit, it produces a pattern of bright and dark regions
on a screen.
Double-slit diffraction: Involves light passing through two
slits, creating an interference pattern of alternating dark and
light fringes.
Diffraction Gratings: A periodic structure that causes light to
diffract in multiple directions, often used in spectrometers.
 THEORY
Diffraction from a Single Slit:
When monochromatic light (light of one wavelength)
passes through a narrow slit, it spreads out or diffracts.
The light that passes through the slit interferes with itself,
leading to a series of dark and bright bands, or fringes, on
a screen placed at some distance from the slit.
Key Features of Single-Slit Diffraction:
Central Maximum: The brightest band in the middle of the
diffraction pattern is the central maximum.
Minima: Dark bands (destructive interference) occur where
the path difference between light waves from different
parts of the slit is an integer multiple of the wavelength.
Maxima: Bright bands (constructive interference) occur
between the minima.
Diffraction Formula:
For single-slit diffraction, the position of the dark fringes
(minima) is given by the equation:
asin⁡θ=mλ
 Where:
a is the width of the slit,
λ is the wavelength of the light,
θ is the angle of diffraction (the angle between the central
axis and the direction of the dark fringe),
m is the order of the minimum (1, 2, 3, …), corresponding
to the first, second, third, etc. minima.
For the first minimum (where the first dark fringe
appears), m=1, for the second minimum, m=2, and so on.
The bright fringes (maxima) occur between the minima,
but their positions are not as easily predicted by a simple
formula. The intensity of the fringes gradually decreases
as we move away from the central maximum.
Small-Angle Approximation:
In many diffraction experiments, the angle θ is small,
meaning that sin⁡θ≈tan⁡θ .

Thus, the position of the minima on a screen at a distance

D from the slit can be approximated by:
ym​=Dtanθ≈Dsinθ
 Where:
ymym​is the distance from the central maximum to the
mm-th minimum (dark fringe),
DD is the distance from the slit to the screen.
This approximation is valid when the angle θθ is small,
which is typical in most experimental setups

Applications of Diffraction
Spectroscopy: Diffraction is used in spectrometers to
separate different wavelengths of light. Diffraction
gratings allow for precise analysis of the light spectrum,
important in chemistry and astronomy.
Optical Instruments: Diffraction limits the resolving power
of optical devices such as telescopes, microscopes, and
cameras. The diffraction limit determines the smallest
detail that can be observed or imaged by such
instruments.
X-ray Crystallography: X-ray diffraction is a powerful
technique used to determine the atomic structure of
crystals.
 Fringe Width Formula:
Δy=aλL​
Where:
Δy = fringe width (distance between adjacent minima),
λ = wavelength of light,
L = distance from the slit to the screen,
a = width of the slit.
 OBJECTIVE
To study the diffraction patterns produced by three
different wires of diameters 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, and 1.0
mm, when illuminated by monochromatic light, and verify
the relationship between fringe width, wire diameter, and
wavelength.
 PROCEDURE
The procedure for this experiment involves the following
steps:
Setup: Securely mount the laser source and wire
(diameter=0.5mm) in such a way that the laser beam
directly hits the wire. Ensure the wire is perpendicular to
the laser beam.
Position the Screen: Place a white screen or a wall at a
distance of 1.5m from the wire to observe the diffraction
pattern.
Shine the Laser: Turn on the laser and observe the
pattern formed on the screen as light diffracts around the
wire.
Measure Fringe Width: Use a ruler to measure the
distance between adjacent bright or dark fringes. Record
these values for each wire.
Repeat with Other Wires: Repeat the experiment for each
wire of different thicknesses i.e. (0.75mm and 1.0 mm).
Ensure that the distance between the wire and the screen
remains the same for each trial.
OBSERVATIONS
Wavelength of light (λ) = 650 nm = 650×10^−9 m
Distance from slit to screen (L) = 1.5 m
Width of slits = 0.5mm, 0.75mm and 1mm
CALCULATIONS
1. Slit Width a=0.5 mm (or a=0.5×10^−3 m)
Δy=650×10^−9×1.5/0.5×10−3
=975×10^−9/0.5×10−3
=1.95mm
2. Slit Width a=0.75 mm (or a=0.75×10^−3m)
Δy=650×10^−9×1.5/0.75×10^−3
=975×10^−9/0.75×10^−3
=1.30 mm
3. Slit Width a=1 mm (or a=1×10^−3 m)
Δy=650×10^−9×1.5/1×10^−3
=975×10^−9/1×10^−3
=0.975 mm
 OBSERVATION
TABLE
S.No. Slit Width Wavelength Distance From Fringe Width
a(mm) λ (nm) Slit to Screen Δy (mm)
L (m)

1 0.5 650 1.5 1.95

2 0.75 650 1.5 1.30
3 1.0 650 1.5 0.975
 CONCLUSIONS
The experiment successfully demonstrates how the
thickness of an obstacle affects the diffraction of light. The
thinner the wire, the more significant the diffraction,
resulting in wider fringes on the screen. This supports the
wave theory of light, showing that light can bend around
obstacles and produce interference patterns.

Through this experiment, the relationship between

obstacle size and diffraction patterns becomes clear:
smaller obstacles (thinner wires) result in more significant
spreading of the light waves, while larger obstacles (thicker
wires) restrict the spread of the light, creating narrower
diffraction patterns.
 PRECAUTIONS
Laser Alignment: Ensure the laser is aligned perfectly with
the wire to avoid incorrect diffraction patterns.
Stable Environment: Perform the experiment in a dark
room to minimize the effect of ambient light and ensure
the diffraction pattern is clearly visible.
Safety: Handle the laser carefully and ensure it does not
point towards anyone’s eyes, as laser beams can cause
eye damage.
 LIMITATIONS
Resolution Limits: Diffraction patterns may be difficult to
measure accurately, especially with small slit sizes or
long wavelengths.
Light Source Issues: Non-monochromatic or incoherent
light can cause overlapping fringes, complicating the
pattern analysis.
Slit Size and Spacing: The slit or grating needs to be
comparable in size to the wavelength of light, and large
or small wavelengths may require specialized equipment.
Precision in Setup: Small measurement errors or
misalignment of the light source and slits can affect the
accuracy of results.
Environmental Factors: Ambient light, air turbulence, or
vibrations can distort diffraction patterns.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www.earmaster.com
https://www.vedantu.com
https://www.byjus.com