Determining Number of Maxima: 2 Slits & 500 nm Light

[hodgepodge]

Homework Statement

Two slits are separated by 0.260 mm. A beam of 500 nm light strikes the slits, producing an interference pattern. Determine the number of maxima observed in the angular range -31.0° < θ < +31.0°.

Homework Equations

i used dsinθ = m(lambda)

The Attempt at a Solution

i used the formula above and got
(.26 x 10^-3)sin(31) = m (500 x 10^-9)

i got m as 267.82, but since there are 267.82 maxima to the right, and 267.82 to the left and one at m=0, that makes for a total number of 536.64 maxima

?

 

[hodgepodge]

bump to the top

i need to know what if i did anything wrong, or if the book is wrong

 

[Dadface]

Hello hodgepodge.The number of maxima must be a whole number eg you may get 267 maxima on one side but not 267.82.

 

[hodgepodge]

werd, thanks