A diffraction pattern is produced on a viewing screen by illuminating a long narrow slit with light of wavelength $\lambda$.If the slit width is decreased and no other changes are made:
A)the intensity at the center of the pattern decreases and the pattern expands away from the bright center
B)the intensity at the center increases and the pattern contracts toward the bright center
C)the intensity at the center of the pattern does not change and the pattern expands away from the bright center
D)the intensity at the center of the pattern does not change and the pattern contracts toward the bright center
E)neither the intensity at the center of the pattern nor the pattern itself change

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the slit width is decreased, diffraction effects become more pronounced, causing the central maximum to become less intense and the overall diffraction pattern to expand, spreading out more from the center.

A Diffraction Pattern Is Produced on a Viewing Screen by Illuminating