Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · The diffraction grating

The diffraction grating — practice question

Light with wavelength $\lambda$ strikes a diffraction grating at normal incidence, as illustrated. The angle between the two second-order maxima is $\varphi$. Which expression determines the spacing between the lines on the diffraction grating?

  • A$\dfrac{\lambda}{\sin \varphi}$
  • B$\dfrac{\lambda}{\sin (\varphi / 2)}$
  • C$\dfrac{2\lambda}{\sin \varphi}$
  • D$\dfrac{2\lambda}{\sin (\varphi / 2)}$

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