Question

Canine hairs are thicker than human hairs. How would you compare the diffraction pattern of a canine hair to that of a human?

	a)	The central maximum is narrower.
	b)	The central maximum is wider.
	c)	The pattern is the same shape but brighter.
	d)	The pattern is the same shape but dimmer.
	e)	Canine hairs won't create a pattern since the hair surface is rougher.

Answer 1

As the thickness of canine hair is more than the human's hair means the slit width d is more so the first minima will be at a smaller distance from the central maxima by the formula,

y = lambda. D/ d

where D is the difference b/w the slit and the wall,

d is the width of the slit.

so, the canine hair's minima is at a lower distance from the central maxima than the human's hair

Hence, canine hair central maxima will be smaller than the human's hair central maxima.