Practice question
Question
Why does the wave theory predict a change in wavelength but not frequency during refraction?
Explanation
**Single-slit diffraction** central maximum width W =2λ D/a, a slit width, D distance, angular width θ =2λ/a, first minimum at a sinθ = λ, fourth minimum a sinθ=4λ, sinθ=4λ/a, for a=5.0 μm λ=500 nm sinθ=4×0.5/5=0.4 θ≈23.6°, central maximum width increases when slit width reduced to half doubles width, when wavelength quadrupled width quadruples, when slit tripled width one-third. Frequency is source-dependent and constant, while wavelength adjusts inversely to the speed change in the medium (v = fλ), maintaining the wave equation. Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n λ, I = I₀ cos²θ, n = c/v, sinC =
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