Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · The diffraction grating

The diffraction grating — practice question

(a)[3]

State the meaning of diffraction and the meaning of interference.

(b)[3]

Light from source $S_1$ falls on a diffraction grating, as shown in Fig. 6.1. The light has a single frequency of $7.06 \times 10^{14}\,\text{Hz}$. The diffraction grating has $650$ lines per millimetre. Calculate how many orders of diffracted light the grating produces. Do not count the zero order. Show your working.

(c)[1]

A second source $S_2$ is used instead of $S_1$. The light from $S_2$ has a single frequency lower than that of the light from $S_1$. State and explain whether more orders are seen with the light from $S_2$.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 7-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Diffraction is the spreading out of a wave as it passes through a slit or around an edge

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