Solve Unknown Wavelength from Diffraction Grating Homework

AI Thread Summary
A diffraction grating with 3000 lines per cm is used to analyze green light at 500 nm and an unknown wavelength, with a linear separation of 10 cm on a screen 2 m away. The relevant equations include dsin(Θ) = mλ and y = mλL/d. Initial calculations yielded an incorrect wavelength of 83 nm for the unknown light, which is not within the visible spectrum. To find the correct wavelength, one should first calculate the position (y) for the green light and then adjust for the 10 cm separation to determine the unknown wavelength. Clarification on whether to add or subtract the 10 cm from the green light's position is needed for an accurate solution.
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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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