Diffraction grating of laser light

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the number of diffraction spots produced by a laser beam with a wavelength of 630 nm incident on a grating with 300 lines per mm. The correct calculation involves determining the grating spacing (d) as 3.33 x 10-6 m per line. The user initially miscalculated the order of diffraction (n) by neglecting the central maximum (n = 0), leading to an incorrect total of spots. After correcting for this oversight and adjusting the calculator settings from radians, the user confirmed the correct number of visible spots as 11.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of diffraction grating principles
  • Familiarity with the equation nλ = d sin(θ)
  • Basic knowledge of laser light properties
  • Ability to perform unit conversions (e.g., lines per mm to meters per line)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of diffraction and interference patterns
  • Learn about the applications of diffraction gratings in spectroscopy
  • Explore the effects of varying wavelengths on diffraction patterns
  • Investigate the use of different types of lasers in optical experiments
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Students in physics, optical engineers, and anyone interested in the practical applications of laser diffraction and grating analysis.

Johnahh
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Homework Statement


a narrow beam of laser light (i.e coherent monochromatic light) wavelength 630nm is incident on a grating having 300 lines per mm. a piece of paper is curved 180 degrees beyond the grating. calculate how many spots of red light should be seen

Homework Equations


n\lambda=d*sin\theta
d = spacing between lines
n = order of angle

The Attempt at a Solution


so there's 300 lines per mm and i want to find out d therefore i did \frac{1}{300000} and got 3.33x10^-6 lines per m
so now i can use n*630x10^-9=3.33x10^-6*sin(90)
this makes
n=\frac{3.33x10^-6*sin(90)}{630x10^-9}

this gives me 4.72 which I can round up to 5 and multiply by 2 to get the order for 180 degrees.
so I get an answer of 10 and the books answer is 11.
what am I doing wrong

P.S first time using latex...
 
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Johnahh said:
and got 3.33x10^-6 lines per m
This should be meter per line I think.

You forgot the central spot at an angle of zero.
 
check your calculation, I got n to be just greater than 5. As mfb says, you forgot the central max (n = 0)
If n was 4.72 then you would only see 9 spots (including the central max)
You cannot 'round up' the value of n !
 
you are correct that should have been meter per line. I knew I must have been forgetting something.
Thankyou
 
technician, after seeing your reply I have noticed my calculator is still in radians from my math revision. now i get 5.29 down to 5. Thanks lol
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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