Well I did this lab and need help because I am so confused I used a spectrometer and a helium lamp. I have to calculate d=m*wavelength / sin theta. For violet the left angle is 172 and 20 minutes and the right angle is 187 and 15 minutes and the wavelegth is 447.2 nanometers. What I don't understand is that how do I get m (integer that refers to the order of diffraction)? And when dividing by sin theta (180 degrees) do I change it to radians? Please if you have ever done this lab or know someone who has taken physics could you ask them.
2007-10-31 08:20:10 · 1 answers · asked by glance 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
m is the value you assign for the 'order' of the peak. I assume this is a 2-slit diffraction experiment and d is the distance between slits. In multislit diffraction cases you are measuring the location of successive interference peaks from the central peak. For the 1st peak away from the center, m=1, etc. Yes, for sin('anything'), 'anything' must be in radians.
The subject of diffraction and interference covers a lot of ground and needs familiarity with the behavior of light, trigonometry, and wavelength/phase relationships. The ref. is the best place I know of to get an understanding of it.
2007-11-02 12:18:06 · answer #1 · answered by kirchwey 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋