Based on the provided reference, there are conflicting statements regarding the effect of aperture hole diameter on the diffraction pattern.
Understanding Aperture Diffraction
Diffraction is a fundamental wave phenomenon where light (or other waves) bends around the edges of an obstacle or spreads out after passing through an opening or aperture. When light passes through a small circular hole, it creates a characteristic diffraction pattern of bright and dark rings (known as an Airy pattern) on a screen behind the aperture. The size and spread of this pattern are influenced by the size of the aperture and the wavelength of the light.
Information from the Reference
The provided reference from 13-Jan-2020 makes the following statements about how the size of the hole affects the diffraction pattern:
- The smaller the hole the smaller the angle to the first dark fringe.
- The hole diameter does not affect the pattern.
These two statements from the same reference contradict each other.
Contrasting Views: Standard Physics
In the standard understanding of physics regarding diffraction through a single circular aperture (like a small hole), the relationship between the aperture size and the diffraction pattern is well-defined.
Standard Relationship between Aperture Size and Diffraction
Generally, the effect of the aperture size on the diffraction pattern's spread is inverse:
- Smaller Aperture Diameter: When the hole is smaller, the light spreads out more due to diffraction. This results in a wider central bright spot and the rings being further apart. The angle to the first dark fringe increases.
- Larger Aperture Diameter: When the hole is larger, the diffraction effect is less pronounced. The light spreads out less. This results in a narrower central bright spot and the rings being closer together. The angle to the first dark fringe decreases.
This standard principle is often demonstrated with lasers and pinholes, showing that a smaller pinhole produces a significantly larger and more spread-out pattern than a larger one.
Analyzing the Reference's Claims
The reference contains two claims that do not align with the standard physics model:
- "The smaller the hole the smaller the angle to the first dark fringe": This contradicts the standard understanding where a smaller hole leads to a larger angle (more spreading).
- "The hole diameter does not affect the pattern": This contradicts both the first statement from the reference and the standard physics model, as the hole size is a primary factor influencing the diffraction pattern's scale.
Key Takeaways
Based solely on the provided reference, there is a direct contradiction regarding the influence of aperture hole diameter on the diffraction pattern. Standard physics, however, provides a clear inverse relationship.
Here's a comparison of the stated effects on the spread (represented by the angle to the first dark fringe):
| Source | Effect of Smaller Aperture on Diffraction Spread (Angle) |
|---|---|
| Provided Reference (Claim 1) | Decreases (Smaller angle) |
| Provided Reference (Claim 2) | No effect |
| Standard Physics (Well-Established) | Increases (Larger angle) |
In conclusion, while the provided reference offers conflicting views stating both an inverse relationship (that is opposite to the standard model) and no relationship at all, standard physics dictates that a smaller aperture significantly increases the spread of the diffraction pattern.
