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AP Physics 2
14.7 Diffraction
IntermediateMCQMathematicalConceptual18.7k
Diffraction setup using a hair strand.
Diffraction setup using a hair strand.
A laser beam with wavelength \(\lambda = 600 \text{ nm}\) shines perpendicularly onto a thin strand of human hair mounted on a frame. The resulting diffraction pattern is observed on a screen located at a distance \(L = 2.0 \text{ m}\) behind the hair, where the central maximum has a total width of \(3.0 \text{ cm}\) between the first minima on either side. According to Babinet's principle, the diffraction pattern of the hair is identical to that of a single slit with a width equal to the diameter of the hair. What is the diameter of the hair?

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