The diffraction grating is a way of separating or dispersing light of different wavelengths, producing a spectrum of light. The grating interferes light constructively in particular directions: dsinθm=mλdsin⁡θm=mλ For a particular angle, we calculate the wavelength. The grating constant (or line density) is 500 lines per mm -- every millimeter has 500 lines scratched onto it, equally spaced. The quantity d is the distance between the lines, and λ is the light wavelength. In the previous problem, calculate y2, where one of the second-order spots appears on the meter stick. Either that, or show that y2 can't be determined.

The diffraction grating is a way of separating or dispersing light of different wavelengths, producing a spectrum of light. The grating interferes light constructively in particular directions: dsinθm=mλdsin⁡θm=mλ For a particular angle, we calculate the wavelength. The grating constant (or line density) is 500 lines per mm -- every millimeter has 500 lines scratched onto it, equally spaced. The quantity d is the distance between the lines, and λ is the light wavelength. In the previous problem, calculate y2, where one of the second-order spots appears on the meter stick. Either that, or show that y2 can't be determined.