Diffraction Grating: Laser Illumination & 643 nm Wavelength

AI Thread Summary
A laser with a wavelength of 643 nm illuminates a diffraction grating with a line spacing of 637 lines per mm, positioned 11.6 cm from a screen. The equation used for calculating the maxima is wavelength = (s/m)(ym/sqrt(L^2 + ym^2). A participant attempted to solve for the distances to the first and second maxima but found their answers incorrect. Another participant confirmed they calculated both maxima distances as 116 mm, prompting a request for clarification on the calculation method used. The discussion highlights the need for accurate application of the diffraction formula to obtain correct maxima distances.
cyclonefb3
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Homework Statement



A laser is used to illuminate a diffraction grating that has spacing of 637 lines per mm. The grating sits 11.6 cm in front of a screen. Find the distance to the first and second maxima (y1 and y2) for the laser wavelength of 643 nm. Express your answers in mm.

Homework Equations



wavelength = (s/m)(ym/sqrt(L2+ym2))

The Attempt at a Solution



s = 1/637 = .00156 mm
L = 116 mm
wavelength = 643 X 10-6 mm

I tried solving this equation for ym, but the answer I got was wrong. Is there another way to do this problem?
 
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Hi cyclonefb3,

What answers did you get?
 
I got 116 mm for both.
 
cyclonefb3 said:
I got 116 mm for both.

Can you show the details of how you got those two answers (what numbers you used and so forth)? I'm not getting that from your equation.
 

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