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Physics Experiment - Estimating The Wavelengths of Light Using A Plane Diffraction Grating

This document describes a physics experiment to estimate the wavelengths of visible light using diffraction grating. Students are asked to measure the angles of diffraction for the first and second order spectra of red, green, and blue light. Using the grating equation, they can then calculate the average wavelengths. Potential sources of error and experimental precautions are discussed. The objective is to compare the measured wavelengths to known theoretical values and comment on the results.

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YAN YI LAM
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587 views3 pages

Physics Experiment - Estimating The Wavelengths of Light Using A Plane Diffraction Grating

This document describes a physics experiment to estimate the wavelengths of visible light using diffraction grating. Students are asked to measure the angles of diffraction for the first and second order spectra of red, green, and blue light. Using the grating equation, they can then calculate the average wavelengths. Potential sources of error and experimental precautions are discussed. The objective is to compare the measured wavelengths to known theoretical values and comment on the results.

Uploaded by

YAN YI LAM
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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St.

Mary’s Church College


Physics Experiment
Form 6S

Student Name : _________________ ( ) Date : ____________


Group Number : _____

Marks : ___________
B7(b) Estimating the Wavelength of Light Using a Plane Diffraction Grating

Objective : To estimate the wavelengths of different colours of the spectrum produced by a


fine diffraction grating.
Apparatus : Ray-box 1
Diffraction grating (300 lines per mm) 1
Metre rule 2
Low voltage power supply 1
Grating holder 1
Theory : The diffraction grating consists of a very large number of closely-spaced and
equally-spaced parallel lines ruled on one surface of a small slab of transparent
material. A parallel beam of light is incident normally on one side of the grating.
Each of the lines acts like a narrow slit and diffracts the light so that, on the other
side of the grating, the diffracted light from many lines may interfere
constructively or destructively at some point on a distant screen as shown below.

Path difference
between adjacent rays
= d sin 

The condition for the diffracted rays to interfere constructively is that the optical
path difference between the light from adjacent slits be equal to an integer
number of wavelengths; that is,
d sin  = m for m = 0, 1, 2, …
The diffraction pattern with m = 1 is called first order, that with m = 2, second
order, etc..
By measuring the angle of diffraction for the mth order bright fringe, wavelength
d
of the light source can be estimated using the formula   sin  .
m

Diffraction grating - 1
Procedure : 1. Set the apparatus as shown below.

Ray box
Metre-rule B

pencil Metre- rule A


x

Diffraction
grating

2. Metre rules A and B must be perpendicular to each other, with metre rule A
along the direction of the incident light.
3. Mount the grating on the grating holder and hold it against the metre rule A.
4. Switch on the ray box and view through the diffraction grating. A
diffraction pattern consisting of the first and second order spectra will be
seen.
5. Ask your partner to move a pencil along the metre rule B until it is in line
with the middle of the red colour of the first order spectrum (m = 1).
Measure the distance moved by the pencil from the central bright fringe x1.
6. Repeat step 5 with the pencil in line with the middle of the red colour of the
second order spectrum (m = 2). Measure the distance moved by the pencil
from the central bright fringe x2.
7. From the values of x1 and x2, find the values of 1 and 2. Apply the grating
d
formula   sin  to estimate the average value of the wavelength of
m
red light.
8. Repeat the experiment with the green and blue colours in turn.

Results : Grating constant (Slit width) = _______________ mm

Colour Red Green Blue


Order of maxima m 1 2 1 2 1 2
Position of pencil
x /mm
Angle of diffraction

Wavelength  /nm

Mean value of  /nm

Diffraction grating - 2
Questions : 1. Compare the experimental results with the theoretical wavelengths of red,
green and blue light, comment on your results.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
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____________________________________________________________

2. What are the major sources of error in this experiment?


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3. Why is it necessary to place the ray box several metres away from the
grating?
____________________________________________________________
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4. State the precautions in this experiment.
____________________________________________________________
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Diffraction grating - 3

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