Question

A student determines the wavelength of the light emitted by a laser. She uses the laser, a diffraction grating and a screen. Which of the follow measurements is not required?

A) the distance from the diffraction grating to the screen
B) the distance from the central maximum to the first order maximum
C) the distance from the laser to the diffraction grating
D) the distance between the slits in the diffraction grating

Answer 1

Answer:

D) the distance between the slits in the diffraction grating is not required to determine the wavelength of the light emitted by a laser using a diffraction grating and a screen.

Step-by-step explanation:

The wavelength of light can be determined using the formula λ = dsinθ / m, where λ is the wavelength of light, d is the distance between the slits in the diffraction grating, θ is the angle between the central maximum and the m-th order maximum, and m is the order of the maximum.

Therefore, the measurements required to determine the wavelength of light are:
A) the distance from the diffraction grating to the screen
B) the distance from the central maximum to the first order maximum
C) the distance from the laser to the diffraction grating.

So, option D is not required to determine the wavelength of the light emitted by the laser.