Central fringe obtained in diffraction pattern due to a single slit-

Options

A. is of minimum intensity
B. is of maximum intensity
C. intensity does not depend upon slit width
D. none of the above

Answer

To solve the question regarding the central fringe obtained in the diffraction pattern due to a single slit, we can break down the explanation into a step-by-step solution.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Diffraction**:
- Diffraction occurs when light waves encounter an obstacle or a slit that is comparable in size to the wavelength of the light. In the case of a single slit, the light spreads out after passing through the slit.

**Hint**: Remember that diffraction is a wave phenomenon that results in the bending and spreading of waves.

2. **Formation of the Diffraction Pattern**:
- When light passes through a single slit, it can be thought of as being made up of many wavelets emanating from different parts of the slit. These wavelets interfere with each other, creating a pattern of bright and dark fringes on a screen.

**Hint**: Visualize the slit as being divided into multiple segments, each acting as a source of wavelets.

3. **Central Maxima**:
- The central fringe, or central maxima, is the brightest part of the diffraction pattern. It is formed by the constructive interference of wavelets from all parts of the slit. Since all wavelets contribute to this central maxima, it has the highest intensity.

**Hint**: The central maxima is the result of the coherent addition of all wavelets from the slit.

4. **Intensity Distribution**:
- As you move away from the central maxima to the first-order maxima and beyond, the intensity of the light decreases. The first-order maxima is formed by wavelets from a smaller portion of the slit (e.g., one-third), and the second-order maxima is formed by an even smaller portion (e.g., one-fifth). This pattern continues, with each subsequent maxima having lower intensity.

**Hint**: Keep in mind that the intensity decreases with increasing order of maxima.

5. **Conclusion**:
- The central maxima has the maximum intensity, and as you increase the order of the maxima, the intensity decreases. Thus, the central fringe is the brightest and most significant part of the diffraction pattern.

**Hint**: Remember that the term "maxima" indicates regions of maximum intensity, and the central maxima is the highest among them.

### Summary:
The central fringe in a single slit diffraction pattern is the result of constructive interference from all parts of the slit, leading to the highest intensity. As you move to higher orders of maxima, the intensity decreases due to the contributions from fewer parts of the slit.