Question

What is maxima and minima in diffraction?

Answer 1

Diffraction

1. It is defined as the interference or bending of waves around the corners of an obstacle or through an aperture into the region of geometrical shadow of the obstacle/aperture.
2. A monochromatic light source is required for diffraction.
3. The light that is monochromatic has only one wavelength or frequency.
4. The wavelength of the light source should be similar to the size of the object or obstacle.
   

Maxima

1. The highest point of a function is called maxima, and
2. The maxima are the intersection of two wavefronts, either at their crests or troughs.
3. The mathematical form of maxima $\mathrm{dsin\theta }=\mathrm{n\lambda }$
   Where, $\mathrm{\lambda }$ is the wavelength, $\mathrm{\theta }$ is the angle of diffraction, $\mathrm{d}$ is the slit width and $\mathrm{n}=\pm 1,\pm 2,\pm 3....$

Minima

1. The lowest point of a function is called minima.
2. The minima are the intersection of two distinct wavefronts' crests and troughs.
3. The mathematical form of minima $\mathrm{dsin\theta }=\left(\mathrm{n}+\frac{1}{2}\right)\mathrm{\lambda }$
   Where, $\mathrm{\lambda }$ is the wavelength, $\mathrm{\theta }$ is the angle of diffraction, $\mathrm{d}$ is the slit width and $\mathrm{n}=\pm 1,\pm 2,\pm 3....$