Light from Element X through a diffraction Grating

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves light emitted by Element X passing through a diffraction grating with 1200 lines/mm, creating a diffraction pattern observed on a screen 75.0 cm away. Bright fringes appear at specific distances from the central maximum, and the task is to determine the maximum value of m for the diffracted wavelengths and the wavelengths of light emitted by Element X.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants express confusion regarding the application of equations related to diffraction and the meaning of variables involved. There are attempts to understand how multiple wavelengths can be present and how to calculate the maximum value of m for the observed fringes.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants seeking clarification on variable definitions and expressing uncertainty about the equations. Some guidance is being offered regarding the visible spectrum and the approach to finding wavelengths, but no consensus has been reached on the solutions.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. There is a noted lack of clarity regarding the relationship between the observed distances of the fringes and the corresponding wavelengths.

kikko
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Homework Statement


Light emitted by Element X passes through a diffraction grating having 1200 lines/mm. The diffraction pattern is observed on a screen 75.0 cm behind the grating. Bright fringes are seen on the screen at distances of 56.2 cm, 65.9 cm, and 93.5 cm from the central maximum. No other fringes are seen.

What is the maximum value of m for each of these diffracted wavelengths?
This part will be visible after you complete previous part(s).
What are the wavelengths of light emitted by Element X?

Homework Equations


\thetam = m(\lambda/d) (angles of bright fringes)
ym = (m\lambdaL)/d
dsin\thetam = m\lambda
ym - Ltan\thetam

The Attempt at a Solution

\theta

No clue for this one. I tried plugging various things into the second equation, but got lost. I also don't understand how it can have multiple \lambda.
 
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What does each variable represent?

θm, m, λ, d, ym, L
 
kikko said:

Homework Statement


Light emitted by Element X passes through a diffraction grating having 1200 lines/mm. The diffraction pattern is observed on a screen 75.0 cm behind the grating. Bright fringes are seen on the screen at distances of 56.2 cm, 65.9 cm, and 93.5 cm from the central maximum. No other fringes are seen.

What is the maximum value of m for each of these diffracted wavelengths?
This part will be visible after you complete previous part(s).
What are the wavelengths of light emitted by Element X?


Homework Equations


\thetam = m(\lambda/d) (angles of bright fringes)
ym = (m\lambdaL)/d
dsin\thetam = m\lambda
ym - Ltan\thetam

The Attempt at a Solution

\theta

No clue for this one. I tried plugging various things into the second equation, but got lost. I also don't understand how it can have multiple \lambda.

What is the range of wavelengths for the visible spectrum?

Find where the shortest wavelength (for the visible) would a appear on the screen, for m=1, m=2, ... until you can completely answer the first question.
 

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