How Far Do Different Colors Spread in a Diffraction Grating Experiment?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a diffraction grating experiment involving light from a slit and its interaction with a transmission diffraction grating of 475 lines/mm. Participants are tasked with determining the distances on a screen for the first-order hydrogen lines of different colors, specifically red, blue-green, and violet wavelengths.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relevant equation for diffraction, dsin(theta) = n(lambda), and consider how to apply it to the given problem. There are questions about the meaning of theta and the interpretation of the grating density. Some participants express uncertainty about their calculations and the necessary conversions of units.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their attempts at calculations and questioning the application of the relevant equations. There is a mix of approaches being explored, and some guidance has been offered regarding unit conversions and the use of specific equations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the need for clarity on the angle theta and the implications of the grating density. There is also a mention of needing to convert final answers into centimeters, highlighting the importance of unit consistency in the calculations.

dlucia
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Question: Light from a slit passes through a transmission diffraction grating of 475 lines/mm, which is located 2.8m from a screen. What are the distances on the screen (from the unscattered slit image) of the three birghtest (first-order, n=1) hydrogen lines for red 657nm, blue-green 486nm, and violet 434nm.

I do not even know where to begin to solve this equation. The help is much appreciated.
 
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dlucia said:
Question: Light from a slit passes through a transmission diffraction grating of 475 lines/mm, which is located 2.8m from a screen. What are the distances on the screen (from the unscattered slit image) of the three birghtest (first-order, n=1) hydrogen lines for red 657nm, blue-green 486nm, and violet 434nm.

I do not even know where to begin to solve this equation. The help is much appreciated.

(please use the homework template in future)

what equations do you know that might be relevant?
 
dsin(theta)=n(lambda)
 
ok, now apply that equation to the figures in the question …

what do you get? :smile:
 
I don't know what to do with the theta, since it is not given. and would i say that 1/d=the 475 mm/lines?
 
and the final units needs to be in cm
 
Personally, I'd do all the calculations in m and then, if demanded, change the final answer to cm.
 
I have been trying everything under the sun and still can not get the answer right. i used the equation x=n(lambda)L/d
L=2.8m
Lambda= 657nm
d=(475 lines/mm)^-1

am I incorrect with that or no? Because the answer is still wrong for finding the distance between the slits.
 
show us your actual calculation and results :smile:
 

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