Calculating Wavelength of Red Line in Hydrogen Spectrum

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the wavelength of the first-order red line in the hydrogen spectrum using a transmission diffraction grating with 520 lines/mm. The observer measures the distance of the red line at 0.326983 m from the source, which is 1.6 m away from the grating. The calculation involves using the formula for diffraction and requires careful attention to unit conversions, particularly from millimeters to meters.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of diffraction grating principles
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions, specifically arc tangent
  • Knowledge of unit conversions, especially between millimeters and meters
  • Basic grasp of the speed of light and Planck's constant
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to apply the diffraction grating formula for various orders of diffraction
  • Study the relationship between wavelength and frequency using the speed of light
  • Explore the concept of spectral lines in atomic physics
  • Investigate the use of different types of spectrometers for wavelength measurement
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, particularly those studying optics and atomic spectra, as well as educators teaching concepts related to diffraction and wavelength calculations.

gleeson.tim
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A transmission diffraction grating with
520 lines/mm is used to study the line spec-
trum of the light produced by a hydrogen
discharge tube. The grating is 1.6 m from the source (a hole
at the center of the meter stick). An observer
sees the first-order red line at a distance yred =
0.326983 m from the hole.
The speed of light is 2.998 × 108 m/s and
the Planck’s constant is 6.626 × 10−34 J · s.
Calculate the wavelength of the red line in
the hydrogen spectrum. Answer in units of
m.



The Attempt at a Solution



I've tried this many times, this is what I did most recently.

1) a= 1/ # lines / m
2) arc tan ( y red / the grating) = b
3) (a) sin (b) = answer
 
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gleeson.tim said:

The Attempt at a Solution



I've tried this many times, this is what I did most recently.

1) a= 1/ # lines / m
2) arc tan ( y red / the grating) = b
3) (a) sin (b) = answer

That looks right, now you just need to plug in the numbers. Watch the units, since the problem statement did use "mm" for one of the quantities.
 

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