Question: Diffraction can be used to provide a quick test of the size of red blood cells. Blood is smeared onto a slide, and a laser

Diffraction can be used to provide a quick test of the size of red blood cells. Blood is smeared onto a slide, and a laser shines through the slide. The size of the cells is very consistent, so the multiple diffraction patterns overlap and produce an overall pattern that is similar to what a single cell would produce. Ideally, the diameter of a red blood cell should be between 7.5 and 8.0 mm. If a 633 nm laser shines through a slide and produces a pattern on a screen 24.0 cm distant, what range of sizes of the central maximum should be expected? Values outside this range might indicate a health concern and warrant further study.

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To find the range of sizes of the central maximum we can use the formula for the diffraction pattern produced by a single slit sintheta fracm lambdaa ... View full answer

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