Solve Diffraction Grating for Red & Blue Light [URGENT]

InSpiRatioNy
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Diffraction Grating? [URGENT]

Homework Statement


Consider two monochromatic sources of light, blue light of wavelength λb = 460 nm and red light of wavelength 670 nm. The red light is shun upon a diffraction grating of density, nr = 10,000 lines per cm. A diffraction grating with what line density (lines/cm) is required to have the 2nd maximum (m=2) of blue light coincide with the 1stmaximum (m=1) of red light?


Homework Equations


...I don't really know.

The Attempt at a Solution


I really don't have a clue, i don't even know relavant equations!

Please help. THanks
 
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InSpiRatioNy said:
I really don't have a clue, i don't even know relavant equations!
Have you read your course text or class notes?
 


Standard diffraction grating formula:

a(sin\theta_i + sin\theta_m) = m\lambda
where,
a = \frac{1}{N}

theta_i and theta_m are incident and m'th diffracted angles respectively. (Though you don't need them).
Form two equations and solve for N.

I'll leave you to it. I'm off to bed :biggrin:
 


I'm confused, what are theta then? And how should I fit all values of the red and blue light in this formula?
 


Don't overthink this question - it is simpler than you think.
You're told that m=2 for one wavelength must lie on m=1 for another wavelength. (Therefore theta_m will be the same for both wavelengths).
(Note also the incident angles are the same because you assume the sources are collinear).

Form 2 diffraction grating equations given the known variables. Solve for the missing N.
 


I got 7282.6, if it's right...
 


InSpiRatioNy said:
I got 7282.6, if it's right...

lines/cm.
It's what I got too.:smile:
 


Okay Thanks!
 
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