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Why is there a minima when $b\sin\phi$ is an integral multiple of wavelength of the monochromatic light used for single slit diffraction?
I am convinced with the mathematical proof, but I'm looking for a non mathematical and physical explanation for why that should be the case (as in YDSE, it clearly isn't)
A physical explanation is as follows.
Imagine that the slit is split into two halves of width $b/2$. A minima occurs when for each point on one half there is a corresponding point on the other half such that the path difference is half a wavelength. Such pairs cancel each other out.
Take the lowest point of the slit as $y = 0$. The pairs of points on the two halves which has a path difference of $\lambda/2$ is $(0,b/2), (\Delta y, b+\Delta y), (2\Delta y, b+2\Delta y), ... (n\Delta y, b)$
The path difference between the ends of the slit, i.e $y = 0$ and $y = b$ will be one wavelength, $\lambda$. Hence the condition $b\sin\phi = m\lambda$.
