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View Full Version : Measuring the wavelength of light using diffraction


ScienceGirl
Dec9-03, 10:35 PM
I did an experiment last week in my college physics class where we measured the wavelength of light using single, double, and multiple slit diffraction and diffraction grating. Using the measurements and Young's equation, we calculated the wavelength of the light. My teacher said that as we use more slits, we should get more accurate results. Can someone explain why this happens?

turin
Dec10-03, 12:45 PM
Assuming that you are asking:

Originally posted by ScienceGirl
Can someone explain why ... as we use more slits, we should get more accurate results ...? I assume that your teacher means that you can more precisely measure the loci of the maxima. The interference is more refined with more slits. It is not that the loci of the maxima are more accurately represented by the formula (I don't think); it is just a matter of being able to determine more exactly where they are.