A parallel monochromatic beam of light is incident normally on a narrow slit. A diffraction pattern is formed on a screen placed perpendicular to the direction of the incident beam. At the first minimum of the diffraction pattern, the phase difference between the rays coming from the two edges of the slit is

Options

A. (a) `0`
B. (b) `pi//2`
C. (c) `pi`
D. (d) `2`

Answer

D

Explanation

As in case of diffraction of mono-chromatic light from a single slit, position of minima is given by:

`dsintheta=nlambda`
So, at the position of first minimum.
`Delta=dsintheta=lambda` (as `n=1`) and hence the phase difference between the rays coming from the two edges of the slit:
`Deltaphi=(2pi)/(lambda)(Delta)=(2pi)/(lambda)(lambda)=2pi`