Diffraction Grating: Let's Calculate the Number of Lines per Centimeter!

What is the question about?

We have the wavelength of light and the angle at which it produces a certain diffraction pattern. Can you calculate the number of lines per centimeter on the diffraction grating?

Answer:

The number of lines per centimeter on the diffraction grating is 344.8 lines/cm.

When dealing with diffraction gratings, the number of lines per centimeter plays a crucial role in determining the diffraction pattern produced by the light passing through it. In this case, we were given the wavelength of the light (587.5 nm) and the angle of the second-order principal maximum (1.170°).

To calculate the number of lines per centimeter on the grating, we used the formula Wsinθ = mλ, where W represents the number of lines per centimeter, θ is the angle, m is the order of diffraction, and λ is the wavelength of light.

By substituting the given values into the formula, we found that the number of lines per centimeter on the grating is 344.8 lines/cm. This calculation allows us to understand the spacing between the lines on the diffraction grating and how it affects the diffraction pattern observed.

Understanding the concepts of diffraction and how they apply to real-world situations like this helps us appreciate the intricate nature of light and its behavior when interacting with various objects such as diffraction gratings. The calculation reinforces the importance of precise measurements and mathematical equations in the field of optics.