Solve Physics Problem w/ Wavelength & 2 Slits - Wavelength Forums

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving the calculation of the wavelength of violet light using a double-slit experiment setup. The original poster describes a scenario where violet light passes through two slits separated by a specific distance, and a first-order line appears at a given distance from the central bright line on a screen positioned at a certain distance from the slits.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to rewrite equations to fit the provided data and emphasize the importance of unit conversions. There are attempts to clarify the relationship between variables in the context of the problem, including displacement, order of the line, screen distance, and slit separation.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided references and suggested equations, while others have noted corrections to previously mentioned equations. There is an ongoing exploration of how to properly apply the equations to the problem at hand, with no explicit consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses urgency due to a deadline for similar problems, indicating a potential constraint in time and understanding of the material. There is also mention of needing to convert units to align with the equations being discussed.

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I missed a day of class the other day so I don't have any notes on how to do this. If someone could please give me some tips or a site that helps explain how to do problems like these it would be greatly appriciated.

Violet light falls on two slits separated by 1.92 10-5 m. A first-order line appears 13.1 mm from the central bright line on a screen 0.611 m from the slits. What is the wavelength of the violet light?

I have about 10 problems do tomarrow very similar to this one and not a clue how to do them.
 
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Kdawg said:
I missed a day of class the other day so I don't have any notes on how to do this. If someone could please give me some tips or a site that helps explain how to do problems like these it would be greatly appriciated.

Violet light falls on two slits separated by 1.92 10-5 m. A first-order line appears 13.1 mm from the central bright line on a screen 0.611 m from the slits. What is the wavelength of the violet light?

I have about 10 problems do tomarrow very similar to this one and not a clue how to do them.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/phyopt/slits.html
 
The reference that Older Dan gave, is very useful.. You will find that you
need to rewrite their equation to suit your data. Just be careful
of units. To find the solution for lambda in nanometers, convert your data to the units they are using. (I have shown their units in parenthesis)

e.g. lambda = [ymD]/d

y - displacement from centerline (in cm)
m - degree for order of line (1, 2, 3 etc..)
D - screen distance (in cm)
d - slit separation (in micrometers = 10^-6m)
lambda - wavelength (nm)

An http://eosweb.larc.nasa.gov/EDDOCS/Wavelengths_for_Colors.html (a double check for your calculated value) of wavelength for violet can be found by following the blue hyperlink.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Reworking that equation again, I found the derived equation in my last post
was incorrect! :blushing: (I'm surprised no one challenged me on that)

correction: lambda = [dy]/[mD]

y - displacement from centerline (m)
m - degree for order of line (1, 2, 3 etc..)
D - screen distance (m)
d - slit separation (m)
lambda - wavelength (m)

Again be careful of units. Just convert to those in this equation. To express lambda in nanometers, multiply the resulting lambda by 10^9.
 

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