/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 43 White light containing wavelengt... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

White light containing wavelengths from \(400 \mathrm{nm}\) to \(700 \mathrm{nm}\) is shone through a grating. Assuming that at least part of the third-order spectrum is present, show that the second-and third-order spectra always overlap, regardless of the slit separation of the grating.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Yes, the second-order and third-order spectra always overlap for a wavelength range of 400 nm to 700 nm, regardless of the slit separation.

Step by step solution

01

Write down the grating equation

For a diffraction grating, the grating equation is given by: \( m \lambda = d \sin{\theta} \) where \(m\) is the order of the spectrum, \(\lambda\) is the wavelength of the light, \(d\) is the slit separation, and \(\theta\) is the angle of diffraction.
02

Set up the inequalities for the second and third-order spectrums

Given the range of wavelengths from 400 nm to 700 nm, we need to show that there is always an overlap between the second and third order spectra despite the slit separation of the grating. For the second-order spectrum, m = 2, and for the third-order spectrum, m = 3. We can now write down two inequalities for the spectral lines: Second-order spectrum: \(2 \lambda_{\text{min}} \leq d \sin{\theta} \leq 2 \lambda_{\text{max}}\) Third-order spectrum: \(3 \lambda_{\text{min}} \leq d \sin{\theta} \leq 3 \lambda_{\text{max}}\) We will now analyze if there is a range of overlap by comparing the right-hand side of the first inequality with the left-hand side of the second inequality.
03

Compare the right-hand side of the second-order inequality to the left-hand side of the third-order inequality

If the right-hand side of the second-order inequality is equal or smaller than the left-hand side of the third-order inequality, it means the second and third-orders spectra will overlap. Comparing: \( 2 \lambda_{\text{max}} \leq 3 \lambda_{\text{min}} \) Plugging in the given values for the wavelengths, we get: \( 2 (700 \mathrm{nm}) \leq 3 (400 \mathrm{nm}) \) which simplifies to: \( 1400 \mathrm{nm} \leq 1200 \mathrm{nm} \)
04

Analyzing the result

Since the inequality is false (1400 nm > 1200 nm), we can conclude that second-order and third-order spectra would always overlap, regardless of the slit separation of the grating.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Coherent light from a laser is split into two beams with intensities \(I_{0}\) and \(4 I_{0},\) respectively. What is the intensity of the light when the beams are recombined? If there is more than one possibility, give the range of possibilities. (tutorial: two waves).
A steep cliff west of Lydia's home reflects a \(1020-\mathrm{kHz}\) radio signal from a station that is \(74 \mathrm{km}\) due east of her home. If there is destructive interference, what is the minimum distance of the cliff from her home? Assume there is a \(180^{\circ}\) phase shift when the wave reflects from the cliff.
Diffraction and the Resolution of Optical Instruments The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has excellent resolving power because there is no atmospheric distortion of the light. Its 2.4 -m-diameter primary mirror can collect light from distant galaxies that formed early in the history of the universe. How far apart can two galaxies be from each other if they are 10 billion light-years away from Earth and are barely resolved by the HST using visible light with a wavelength of \(400 \mathrm{nm} ?\)
Sketch a sinusoidal wave with an amplitude of \(2 \mathrm{cm}\) and a wavelength of \(6 \mathrm{cm} .\) This wave represents the electric field portion of a visible EM wave traveling to the right with intensity \(I_{0}\). (a) Sketch an identical wave beneath the first. What is the amplitude (in centimeters) of the sum of these waves? (b) What is the intensity of the new wave? (c) Sketch two more coherent waves beneath the others, one of amplitude \(3 \mathrm{cm}\) and one of amplitude \(1 \mathrm{cm},\) so all four are in phase. What is the amplitude of the four waves added together? (d) What intensity results from adding the four waves?
If you shine a laser (wavelength \(0.60 \mu \mathrm{m}\) ) with a small aperture at the Moon, diffraction makes the beam spread out and the spot on the Moon is large. Making the aperture smaller only makes the spot on the Moon larger. On the other hand, shining a wide searchlight at the Moon can't make a tiny spot- the spot on the Moon is at least as wide as the searchlight. What is the radius of the smallest possible spot you can make on the Moon by shining a light from Earth? Assume the light is perfectly parallel before passing through a circular aperture.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.