PHYSICS INVESTIGATORTY PROJECT

Submitted by:
Firdous Hasan Ahmed
Class XII (Science)
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Firdous Hasan Ahmed student of Class XII (Science) has successfully
prepared the report on the project entitled “To study diffraction and explain its intensity”
under the guidance of (PGT Physics) in a particular fulfilment of the curriculum of Central
Board of Secondary Education (CBSE0 leading to the award of annual examination of the
year 2024-2025

Teacher-In-Charge External Examiner

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I have taken efforts in this project. However, it would not have been possible without the kind
support and help of many individuals.
I would like to thank my principal and school for providing me with
facilities required to do my project.
I am highly indebted to my Physics Teacher, for her invaluable guidance which has sustained
my efforts in all the stages of this project work.
I would also like to thank my parents for their continuous support and encouragement.
My thanks and appreciations also go to my fellow classmates in developing the project and to
the people who have willingly helped me out their abilities.
 CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Types of diffraction
3. Experimental Analysis
4. Single Slit Diffraction
5. Diffraction by Circular aperture
6. Intensity Curve
7. Bibliography
 Introduction

Diffraction is a phenomenon in which waves, such as light, sound, or water waves, bend
around obstacles or spread as they pass through small openings or slits. This bending and
spreading occur due to the wave's interaction with the edges of the obstacle or aperture.

In simple terms, diffraction is the deviation of waves from their straight-line path when they
encounter an obstacle or aperture that is comparable in size to their wavelength.

Wave Nature: Diffraction is a characteristic property of waves, showcasing their wave-like

behaviour.
Dependence on Wavelength: The extent of diffraction depends on the wavelength of the
wave and the size of the obstacle or slit.
Greater diffraction occurs when the wavelength is similar to or larger than the size of the
aperture or obstacle.
 Types of Diffraction

Diffraction is categorized based on the distance between the light source, the diffracting
object, and the observation screen. The two main types of diffraction are:

Fresnel Diffraction (Near-Field Diffraction):

Occurs when the light source and the observation screen are at a finite distance from the
diffracting object.
The incident wavefront is either spherical or cylindrical, depending on the shape of the light
source.

Fraunhofer Diffraction (Far-Field Diffraction):

Occurs when the light source and the observation screen are at infinite or very large distances
from the diffracting object, or lenses are used to create parallel rays.
The incident wavefront is planar (parallel rays)
 Experimental Analysis

Objective
To study the phenomenon of diffraction and analyze its intensity curve using a single-slit
diffraction experiment.
Apparatus Required
Light Source: A monochromatic light source, such as a laser.
Slit: A single-slit apparatus with an adjustable slit width.
Screen: A white screen or a detector to observe the diffraction pattern.
Measuring Devices: Scale or Vernier caliper for precise measurements of slit width and
screen distance.
Optical Bench: To hold the components in a straight line and maintain alignment.

Apparatus Required
Light Source: A monochromatic light source, such as a laser.
Slit: A single-slit apparatus with an adjustable slit width.
Screen: A white screen or a detector to observe the diffraction pattern.
Measuring Devices: Scale or Vernier caliper for precise measurements of slit width and
screen distance.
Optical Bench: To hold the components in a straight line and maintain alignment.
 Single Slit Diffraction

When light passes through a narrow slit of width a, it diffracts and forms a pattern on the
screen consisting of a central bright fringe (central maximum) and alternating dark and bright
fringes (minima and maxima).

Experimental Procedure
Set Up the Apparatus:
Place the laser, slit, and screen in a straight line on the optical bench.
Ensure the slit is perpendicular to the laser beam and the screen is parallel to the slit.
Adjust the Slit Width:

Use a slit with a known width (a), or measure the slit width using a Vernier caliper.
Observe the Diffraction Pattern:

Switch on the laser and observe the pattern on the screen.

The central maximum will be the brightest region, flanked by dimmer fringes.
Measure Fringe Positions:

Measure the distance (x) of the dark fringes from the central maximum.
Record the distance between the slit and the screen (L).

Repeat with Different Slit Widths:

Change the slit width and repeat the above steps to analyze the effect on the diffraction
pattern.

Observations
The central maximum is brightest and widest.
The intensity of the fringes decreases as the distance from the center increases.
Decreasing the slit width increases the angular width of the central maximum.
 Diffraction By Circular aperture

When light passes through a circular aperture (e.g., the pupil of the eye or a camera lens), it
undergoes diffraction, forming a characteristic pattern known as the Airy disk. This
phenomenon is a specific case of Fraunhofer diffraction, where the aperture is circular, and
the light source and observation screen are at far-field distances.

Diffraction by a circular aperture demonstrates the wave nature of light and the limits it
imposes on the resolution of optical systems. The Airy disk size and intensity distribution
depend on the wavelength of light and the aperture's diameter, emphasizing the role of
diffraction in practical applications.

Applications
Astronomy:
Determines the resolving power of telescopes (Rayleigh criterion).
Smaller aperture leads to a larger Airy disk, limiting resolution.
Optics:
Used in designing optical instruments like microscopes and cameras.
Explains the limit of resolution due to diffraction.
Medical Imaging:
Influences the resolution of imaging systems like endoscopes.
 Intensity Curve

The diffraction pattern produced by a circular aperture consists of a central bright spot (Airy
disk) surrounded by a series of concentric bright and dark rings. The intensity of the light at
various points in the diffraction pattern can be described by the intensity distribution equation
derived from the Bessel function.

The intensity curve of diffraction by a circular aperture reveals how light behaves when
passing through a round opening. It shows the central bright spot (Airy disk) followed by
alternating bright and dark rings. This pattern is crucial in determining the resolving power of
optical instruments such as telescopes and microscopes.

Bibliography

1. NCERT Class !2 Physics Textbook

2. References articles from various blogs
3. https://en.wikipedia.org
4. https://www.gooogle.co.in