Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · The diffraction grating

The diffraction grating — practice question

As illustrated in Fig. 5.1, a beam of vertically polarised light is incident normally on a polarising filter.
(a(i))[2]

At the start, the transmission axis of the filter is vertical. It is then turned through $360^\circ$ while the plane of the filter stays perpendicular to the beam. On Fig. 5.2, draw a graph to show how the intensity of the light in the transmitted beam changes with the angle through which the transmission axis is turned.

(a(ii))[2]

The incident beam has an intensity of $7.6\,\text{W m}^{-2}$. When the transmission axis of the filter is at an angle $\theta$ to the vertical, the intensity of the transmitted beam is $4.2\,\text{W m}^{-2}$. Calculate angle $\theta$.

(b)[2]

State what is meant by the diffraction of a wave.

(c(i))[2]

A beam of light with wavelength $4.3 \times 10^{-7}\,\text{m}$ is incident normally on a diffraction grating in air, as shown in Fig. 5.3. The third-order diffraction maximum for the light is at an angle of $68^\circ$ to the direction of the incident light beam. Calculate the line spacing $d$ of the diffraction grating.

(c(ii))[2]

Find another wavelength of visible light that would also give a diffraction maximum at an angle of $68^\circ$.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 10-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: maximum intensity at $0^\circ,180^\circ,360^\circ$ and zero at $90^\circ,270^\circ$

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