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How could you use the diffraction of a laser beam by a slit to determine the wavelength of the laser light?
Students will determine the wavelength of a helium neon laser. Students will collect
six different sets of measurements in this experiment and use these measurements to
solve for the wavelength of the laser.
Preparations:
Put out one or sets of a laser, screen and two diffraction gratings for student use.
The intent is to have the laser beam pass through a diffraction grating resuling in
an interference pattern on the screen. Either the screen or the grating will need
to be movable since each grating will be used three times at different distances
from the screen. Decide ahead of time which object will be moveable. Each
of the three distances should yield a clearly observable interference pattern.
The photos on the following page show visual representations of the materials,
setup, and interference patterns generated during the experiment. A graphic of
the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths specified is also shown.
Procedure:
Have students record the diffraction grating lines (mm) and convert them into
centimeters to determine the slit width (d). Students will also record the distance
from grating to screen (L) and distance from a maximum bright spot to an
adjacent maximum bright spot (x). Two different gratings are to be used at three
different distances from the screen and measurements recorded. Students will
then use these measurements to determine the wavelength of the laser.
Connection to APOL Biocomplexity Project:
Lasers are of many wavelengths and each type of laser has a particular application
based on that wavelength. The lasers used in the APOL project are designed
to give a final output of 4.3 x10-6 meters. This is in the mid-infrared range and
is invisible to the eye. In this activity, a laser that has an output visible to the
eye will be necessary. The He-Ne laser is the most common type of laser in the
school environment.
Solution:
Most schools will use a standard red helium neon laser. The wavelength for this
laser is 633 nanometers. Some schools may have access to helium neon lasers of
different wavelengths. The results for those lasers should be as follows: Green:
543.5 nm, Orange: 612 nm, and yellow: 594 nm.
What else can I help you with?
What will produce more widely spaced fringes of light when passed through a diffraction grating light from a red laser or green laser?
Light from a red laser will produce more widely spaced fringes of light when passed through a diffraction grating compared to light from a green laser. This is because red light has a longer wavelength than green light, causing it to diffract more.
What is the nature of source of light use in diffraction grating?
The source of light used in a diffraction grating is typically a monochromatic and collimated light source, such as a laser. This type of light source emits a single wavelength of light in a narrow, parallel beam which is important for producing sharp and distinct diffraction patterns.
Why can't we see a laser beam?
Laser beams are typically invisible to the human eye because they emit light in a very focused and narrow wavelength, often in the infrared spectrum. The lack of scattering and diffraction in laser light prevent it from being visible unless it interacts with particles or surfaces in its path.
What can a diffraction grating be used for?
A diffraction grating can be used to disperse light into its component wavelengths, allowing for analysis of the light's spectrum. This is commonly used in spectroscopy to identify the chemical composition of a substance or analyze astronomical objects. Diffraction gratings are also used in optical devices such as laser spectrometers and wavelength selectors.
What does 532 wavelength mean in laser?
A laser with a 532 nm wavelength refers to a green laser beam. The number 532 nm indicates the specific wavelength of light that the laser emits, measured in nanometers. This wavelength is in the visible spectrum of light and is commonly used in applications such as laser pointers, laser light shows, and scientific research.
What will produce more widely spaced fringes of light when passed through a diffraction grating light from a red laser or green laser?
Light from a red laser will produce more widely spaced fringes of light when passed through a diffraction grating compared to light from a green laser. This is because red light has a longer wavelength than green light, causing it to diffract more.
What is the nature of source of light use in diffraction grating?
The source of light used in a diffraction grating is typically a monochromatic and collimated light source, such as a laser. This type of light source emits a single wavelength of light in a narrow, parallel beam which is important for producing sharp and distinct diffraction patterns.
What is the difference between laser diffraction and ordinary light diffraction?
Laser diffraction involves the use of a laser beam to analyze particle size distribution, providing more accurate and precise results compared to ordinary light diffraction. On the other hand, ordinary light diffraction uses a broader spectrum of light, making it less specific and more prone to errors in measurement. Laser diffraction typically has a higher resolution and can detect smaller particle sizes than ordinary light diffraction.
Why can't we see a laser beam?
Laser beams are typically invisible to the human eye because they emit light in a very focused and narrow wavelength, often in the infrared spectrum. The lack of scattering and diffraction in laser light prevent it from being visible unless it interacts with particles or surfaces in its path.
What can a diffraction grating be used for?
A diffraction grating can be used to disperse light into its component wavelengths, allowing for analysis of the light's spectrum. This is commonly used in spectroscopy to identify the chemical composition of a substance or analyze astronomical objects. Diffraction gratings are also used in optical devices such as laser spectrometers and wavelength selectors.
What does 532 wavelength mean in laser?
A laser with a 532 nm wavelength refers to a green laser beam. The number 532 nm indicates the specific wavelength of light that the laser emits, measured in nanometers. This wavelength is in the visible spectrum of light and is commonly used in applications such as laser pointers, laser light shows, and scientific research.
What are the key applications for laser diffraction?
Key applications for laser diffraction include particle size analysis in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, and mining; characterization of aerosols in environmental monitoring and research; and quality control in manufacturing processes such as paint production and powders formulation.
How do you find the wavelength of a laser?
You can find the wavelength of a laser by using an instrument called a spectrometer, which measures the spectrum of light emitted by the laser. The wavelength can be determined by analyzing the peaks or patterns in the spectrum. Alternatively, you can consult the specifications provided by the manufacturer of the laser.
What is the Ruby laser wavelength?
A ruby laser is a red laser with a wavelength between 694 nm and 628 nm. 1 nanometer = 1×10−9 meter.
What's the wavelength of the light emitted by the laser?
The wavelength of the light emitted by the laser is typically in the range of 400 to 700 nanometers.
What does mm mean on a laser pointer?
Millimeter and it shows the wavelength of the laser.
What kind of laser is used in diffraction grating experiment?
laser is not used in that experiment. that was mercury lamp which is used for that exp.
