Modern Physics > Quantum Physics DCS# 6C10.10

UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE - SINGLE SLIT DIFFRACTION

single slit pattern

APPARATUS
laser 202-21-B6
adjustable slit 202-21-B5
video camera  202

DESCRIPTION
Project a single-slit diffraction pattern onto a screen or a ground glass plate.  As the slit width is made smaller (reducing the uncertainty in the sideways components of the photons' positions), the diffraction pattern becomes wider (as does the uncertainty in the corresponding component of their momenta) and vice versa.