Physics: Principles with Applications (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32162-592-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-32162-592-2

Chapter 28 - Quantum Mechanics of Atoms - Problems - Page 827: 44

Answer

a) $\approx 192\;\rm m$ b) $2.17\times10^5\;\rm m$

Work Step by Step

We know, for diffraction, that $$\sin\theta=\dfrac{1.22\lambda}{d}$$ where $\theta$ is the angle that represents half the angle of the laser beam spread. and for small angles $\sin\theta\approx \theta$ Thus, from the figure below, $$\theta_{beam}=2\theta=2\times\dfrac{1.22\lambda}{d}$$ Plugging the known; $$\theta_{beam} =2\times \dfrac{1.22\times 694\times10^{-9}}{3\times10^{-3}}$$ $$\theta_{beam}=\color{blue}{\bf5.644\times 10^{-4}}\;\rm rad$$ a) In this case, at the satellite, $r=340\;000$ m. Thus the diameter of the beam at this distance is given by $$D=r\theta=340\;000\times 5.644\times 10^{-4}$$ $$D\approx \color{red}{\bf192}\;\rm m$$ b) In this case, at the moon, $r=384\times10^6$ m. Thus the diameter of the beam at this distance is given by $$D=r\theta=384\times10^6\times 5.644\times 10^{-4}$$ $$D\approx \color{red}{\bf2.17\times 10^5}\;\rm m$$
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