University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321973615
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-361-0

Chapter 36 - Diffraction - Problems - Exercises - Page 1217: 36.71

Answer

Choice A.

Work Step by Step

For an interference maximum, $2d sin \theta=m \lambda/n$, so $sin \theta$ is proportional to $\frac{1}{d}$. If d is smaller, the sine, and thus the angle, are both bigger. The microspheres are more tightly packed at the bottom (smaller d) than at the top, so the interference maximum occurs at a larger angle.
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