Final answer:
The diameter of the hole in a circular aperture affects the diffraction pattern by determining the width of the central maximum. A larger diameter aperture will result in a wider central maximum, while a smaller diameter aperture will result in a narrower central maximum.
Step-by-step explanation:
When light passes through a circular aperture, it produces a diffraction pattern. The diameter of the hole affects the diffraction pattern by determining the width of the central maximum. A larger diameter aperture will result in a wider central maximum, while a smaller diameter aperture will result in a narrower central maximum. This means that the size of the aperture directly affects the amount of detail that can be observed in the diffraction pattern. A larger diameter aperture will result in a wider central maximum, while a smaller diameter aperture will result in a narrower central maximum.