For a certain multiple-slit barrier the slit separation is 4 times the slit width. For this system:
A) the orders of the lines that appear are all multiples of 4
B) the orders of lines that appear are all multiples of 2
C) the orders of the missing lines are all multiples of 4
D) the orders of the missing lines are all multiples of 2
E) none of the above are true

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a multiple-slit diffraction pattern, missing orders occur when the path difference between adjacent slits is an integer multiple of the wavelength, which coincides with the condition for minima in single-slit diffraction. Given that the slit separation is 4 times the slit width, the missing orders will be multiples of 4.

For a Certain Multiple-Slit Barrier the Slit Separation Is 4