diffraction maxima?

Question

Monochromatic light ( wavelength= 593 nm ) is incident normally on the diffraction grating containing 600 lines/mm. Find the angles at which one would observe the first order maximum angle1 and the second order maximum angle2.
If the distance between the diffraction gratings and the screen x = 0.300 m, then find the positions of these diffraction maxima on the screen y1 and y2, respectively.

Any idea how to set this up?

Answer 1

1. Draw a picture
2. Find the slit spacing from the lines/mm
3. Use your picture to get a formula for the path difference from two adjacent slits to the second order maximum.
4. Figure out what to set the path difference equal to. When will the second order maximum occur? (think about the wavelength and constructive interference)
5. The screen distance is much farther than the slit spacing. How does this let you simplify your equation?

Good luck!