Seperation for third order maxima for two wavelengths - help please

In summary: That's because you are calculating the angle of the third order maxima.The first order maxima (m = 1) is at Θ = sin^-1(λ/d)The second order maxima (m = 2) is at Θ = sin^-1(2*λ/d)The third order maxima (m = 3) is at Θ = sin^-1(3*λ/d)And so forth.So yes, you are correct.
  • #1
tg22542
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Homework Statement




A grating has 1070 lines per centimetre, and a flat screen is perpendicular to the ray that makes the central peak of the diffraction pattern. The screen is 3.20 m from the grating. If light of two wavelengths, 630 nm and 705 nm, passes through the grating, what is the separation on the screen between the third-order maxima for the two wavelengths?


Homework Equations



mλ = dsinΘ

The Attempt at a Solution




d = 1/1070 = .000935 * 10 000 000 = 9345.79nm

λ1 = Θ1 = sin^-1(3*705 / 9345.79) = 13.0796°
λ2 = Θ2 = sin^-1(3*630 / 9345.79) = 11.6674°

[3.2tan(13.0796°)] - [3.2tan(11.6674)] = .082673 * 1000 = 82.67 nm


My answer is incorrect, can anyone see where I'm going wrong here?

Also, where I multiplied my numerator by 3 above, I did that due to the third order maxima, is that correct? I was impatient and also tried multiplying it by 2 instead, also incorrect.

Please help me out here.
 
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  • #2
tg22542 said:
A grating has 1070 lines per centimetre,
Check your arithmetic.
 
  • #3
oops.

Then shouldn't using (1/107) * 10000000 as my new value be right?

It's still wrong.
 
  • #4
tg22542 said:
Then shouldn't using (1/107) * 10000000 as my new value be right?

It's still wrong.
Two things:
(1) That should be (.1/1070)
(2) 1 nm = 10^-9 m
 
  • #5
I still got it wrong.

I'll show you once more what I'm doing nowd = .1/1070 = .000093 * 10 000 000 = 934.579nm

λ1 = Θ1 = sin^-1(3*705 / 934.579) = x1°
λ2 = Θ2 = sin^-1(3*630 / 934.579) = x2°

[3.2tan(x1°)] - [3.2tan(x2)] = z

z*1000 = ansstill wrong thoughWhere exactly do i need to make changes, and what are those changes? I have 6 tries left.
 
  • #6
tg22542 said:
I still got it wrong.

I'll show you once more what I'm doing nowd = .1/1070 = .000093 * 10 000 000 = 934.579nm
.1/1070 = 0.0000934579 m. So far, so good.
Why do you then multiply by 10 000 000? Instead, multiply by 109.
 
  • #7
im doing all of this and still getting it wrong
 
  • #8
tg22542 said:
im doing all of this and still getting it wrong
Post each step, just like you did before.
 
  • #9
Most previous try:

d = .1/1070 = .000093 * 10^9 = 93457.9 nm

λ1 = Θ1 = sin^-1(3*705 / 93457.9) = 1.297°
λ2 = Θ2 = sin^-1(3*630 / 93457.9) = 1.159°

[3.2tan(1.297)] - [3.2tan(1.159)]

= .0077 nm
 
  • #10
tg22542 said:
Most previous try:

d = .1/1070 = .000093 * 10^9 = 93457.9 nm

λ1 = Θ1 = sin^-1(3*705 / 93457.9) = 1.297°
λ2 = Θ2 = sin^-1(3*630 / 93457.9) = 1.159°

[3.2tan(1.297)] - [3.2tan(1.159)]

= .0077 nm
That answer in is meters, not nm. What units do they want the answer in? mm makes sense.
 
  • #11
Well the units don't matter, hold on I will convert it and give it a try!
 
  • #12
7.7mm didn't work
 
  • #13
tg22542 said:
7.7mm didn't work
I don't see an obvious error, unless it's just a significant figures issues. Often those systems want 3 sig figs no matter what.

Otherwise I will look at this more carefully later and see if there's another error that I missed.
 
  • #14
Sounds great. Thank you very much for your help this far.
 
  • #15
tg22542 said:
Sounds great. Thank you very much for your help this far.
I don't see any errors in the calculation.

Did you try using 3 sig figs in your response? (I assume this is some online system, not a textbook problem, right?)

If all else fails, it might help to take a screenshot of the question so that we can check that there's no ambiguity. (Though it seems pretty clear.)
 
Last edited:
  • #16
I did try 3 sig figs.. still wrong. In my angle calculation (second step), I multiplied each wavelength by 3, is that correct?
 
  • #17
tg22542 said:
In my angle calculation (second step), I multiplied each wavelength by 3, is that correct?
Sure.
 

1. What is "Seperation for third order maxima for two wavelengths"?

"Seperation for third order maxima for two wavelengths" refers to the phenomenon in which light of two different wavelengths is diffracted through a diffraction grating and produces a third order maxima. This means that the light is separated into two distinct wavelengths at a specific angle of diffraction.

2. How does a diffraction grating produce third order maxima?

A diffraction grating is a device with many equally spaced parallel lines or slits that act as a diffraction pattern for light. When light passes through the grating, it is diffracted into multiple orders, including third order maxima at specific angles. This is due to the constructive interference of the diffracted light waves.

3. What is the significance of third order maxima in the separation of wavelengths?

Third order maxima are significant because they allow for the separation of two distinct wavelengths of light. This can be useful in various applications, such as spectroscopy, where different wavelengths of light can provide information about the chemical composition of a sample.

4. How can the separation for third order maxima be calculated?

The separation for third order maxima can be calculated using the equation d*sinθ = m*λ, where d is the spacing of the lines or slits in the diffraction grating, θ is the angle of diffraction, m is the order of diffraction, and λ is the wavelength of light. This equation can also be rearranged to solve for any of the variables.

5. Are there any factors that can affect the separation for third order maxima?

Yes, there are several factors that can affect the separation for third order maxima, such as the spacing of the lines or slits in the diffraction grating, the angle of incidence of the light, and the wavelength of the light. Other factors, such as the quality of the diffraction grating and environmental conditions, can also impact the accuracy of the separation measurement.

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