Solve Unknown Wavelength from Diffraction Grating Homework

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving for the wavelength of an unknown light using a diffraction grating with 3000 lines per cm, dispersing green light at 500 nm. The linear separation between the green light and the unknown light on a screen 2 m away is 10 cm in the second order. The initial calculation yielded 83 nm, which is incorrect as it falls outside the visible spectrum. Participants suggest using the known wavelength of 500 nm to find the position of the green light on the screen and then adjusting for the separation to determine the unknown wavelength accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of diffraction grating principles
  • Familiarity with the equation dsin(θ) = mλ
  • Knowledge of wavelength calculations in optics
  • Ability to manipulate equations involving linear separation and wavelength
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the position y for the green light (500 nm) using the equation y = mλL/d
  • Determine the adjusted position for the unknown wavelength by adding the 10 cm separation
  • Recalculate the wavelength of the unknown light using the updated position
  • Explore the implications of using different orders (m) in diffraction grating equations
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, particularly those studying optics, as well as educators and anyone involved in solving diffraction-related problems in light wave behavior.

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Homework Statement


A grating with 3000 lines per cm is used to disperse green light (500nm) and another light of unknown wavelength on a screen 2 m from the grating. The linear separation between the green and unknown light on the screen in the second order is found to be 10 cm. Find the wavelength of the unknown light.


Homework Equations


dsin(\Theta) = m\lambda
y = m*\lambda*L/d


The Attempt at a Solution


L = 2 m
d = 1/300,000 m
y = .1 m
I don't know what the answer is but all I can get is 83 nm by doing this:
.1 m * 300,000 m / 2m / 2 = \lambda

I am guessing it's wrong because it's not visible light. Does anyone know if I did anything wrong? I'm not sure if I need to do something with the given 500 nm.
 
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I think you need to make use of the 500 nm. Try finding y for the 500 nm wavelength. You know that y for the unknown wavelength is 10 cm away from y for the 500 nm.
 
two step problem
Get y for the green first,using the 500
then add the y + 0.1 meter to get the spread for the other color
Although from the question, I could not tell if you use y +.1 or y-.1
Then solve for wavelength of other color

Maybe one of them gives a bad answer.
 
I was taking it to mean y for the unknown wavelength was further away from the centre, but the question is a little vague.
 

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