Question

White light is spread out into its spectral components by a diffraction grating. If the grating has 1,970 grooves per centimeter, at what angle (in degrees) does red light of wavelength 640 nm appear in first order? (Assume that the light is incident normally on the gratings.)

Answer 1

Answer;

7.238°

Explanation

From question we know that the grating has 1,970 grooves per centimeter, we can convert to from (cm) to (nm) for unit consistency

The slit separation is expressed below

d=1cm/1970

d=0.0005076

=5076nm

Then the angle (in degrees) that the red light of wavelength 640 nm appear in first order can be calculated using expression below

Sin(x)= mλ/d

Where λ= wavelength=640 nm

d=slit separation

Sin(x)= mλ/d

Sin(x)=(1×640)/5076

=0.126

sin-1(0.126)

X= 7.238°

Therefore,the angle (in degrees) that the red light of wavelength 640 nm appear in first order is 7.238°