Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · The diffraction grating

The diffraction grating — practice question

Light is sent through a diffraction grating with $1000$ lines per cm, and the same wavelength of light is also sent through two narrow slits separated by $0.5\ \text{mm}$. In each case, the screen shows intensity maxima and minima. Which statement about how far apart the maxima are on the screen and how sharp the maxima are is correct?

  • AThe diffraction grating maxima are less widely spaced and are less sharp than the two-slit maxima.
  • BThe diffraction grating maxima are less widely spaced and are sharper than the two-slit maxima.
  • CThe diffraction grating maxima are more widely spaced and are less sharp than the two-slit maxima.
  • DThe diffraction grating maxima are more widely spaced and are sharper than the two-slit maxima.

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