A diffraction grating has 2000 lines per centimeter and is 3.0 centimeters wide.When visible light is incident on the grating,a maximum is observed at an angle of 10º from the normal.The wavelength of the incident radiation is
A)435 nm
B)525 nm
C)600 nm
D)725 nm
E)870 nm

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The formula for finding the wavelength of the incident radiation for a diffraction grating is:

λ = d sinθ / N

where λ is the wavelength of light, d is the distance between adjacent lines on the grating, θ is the angle from the normal at which the maximum is observed, and N is the number of lines per unit length.

Plugging in the values, we get:

λ = (3.0 cm / 2000 lines/cm) sin(10º) 
   = 5.25 x 10^-5 cm 
   = 525 nm

Therefore, the wavelength of the incident radiation is 525 nm, which corresponds to choice B.

A Diffraction Grating Has 2000 Lines Per Centimeter and Is