Diffraction: Practice Problem & Solution

Solution Explained:

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Diffraction. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

The position of \(n^{\text{th}}\) minimum in single-slit diffraction is \(y_n = \frac{n\lambda D}{a}\). The distance between the 1st and 3rd minima is \(Delta y = \frac{2\lambda D}{a} ⇒ a = \frac{2\lambda D}{\Delta y} = \frac{2 \times 6000 \times 10^{-10} \times 0.50}{3 \times 10^{-3}} = 0.2\text{ mm}\).