Science - Physics - Optics - 8 Optical wave theory (P1069800)

8.2 Determination of the wavelength of light

by grating diffraction
Experiment by: Phywe
Printed: Nov 1, 2013 1:09:58 PM
interTESS (Version 13.06 B200, Export 2000)

Task

Task
Produce a diffraction spectrum using an optical grating and determine the wavelengths of red
and green light.

Use the space below for your own notes.

Logged in as a teacher you will find a button below for additional information.

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Additional Information
This experiment on diffraction at an optical grating not only provides convincing
proof of the ability of (visible) light to undergo interference, and hence of its wave
character; but it is also well suited to determine the wavelength of selected colours
of the spectrum. Moreover, it is sure to motivate students who will be impressed by
the ability to determine with simple means such small physical quantities as the
wavelength of light.

Suggestions
This experiment should be performed in a room that has been sufficiently
darkened. Under these conditions, second-order diffraction spectra will be clearly
visible.
Wavelengths for selected colours can alternatively be determined without colour
filters. The advantage is that the central bright strip on the screen does not
appear in colour.
When measuring 2e, either the distance between the centres of the two coloured
strips can be used or e.g. the distance between the outer edges of the strips (slit
images). This choice can be left to the students. What matters is that is
determined with sufficient accuracy so that students receive an impression of
the order of magnitude of the wavelength of light.

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 Material

Material
Material from "TESS-Optics OE 1" (Order No. 13276.88), "TESS-Optics Color
mixing" (Order No. 13250.77) and "TESS-Optics OE 2" (Order No. 13277.88)

Position No. Material Order No. Quantity

1 Support base, variable 02001-00 1
2-3 Diaphragm holder, attachable 11604-09 2
4 Lens on slide mount, f = +50 mm 09820-01 1
5 Lens on slide mount, f = +100 mm 09820-02 1
6 Mount with scale on slide mount 09823-00 1
7 Diaphragm with slit, d = 1 mm 09816-02 1
8 Grating, 80 lines/mm 09827-00 1
9 Slide mount for optical bench 09822-00 1
10 Screen, white, 150 mm x 150 mm 09826-00 1
11 Support rod, stainless steel 18/8, l = 600 mm, 02037-00 2
d = 10 mm
11 Meter scale for optical bench 09800-00 1
12 Bottom with stem for light box 09802-10 1
13 Light box, halogen 12 V / 20 W 09801-00 1
14 Colour filter set, additive colour mixing 09807-00 1
Additional
Material
Power Supply, 0...12 V DC / 6 V, 12 V AC 13505-93 1
Ruler (approx. 30 cm) 1

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Material required for the experiment

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 Setup and Action

Setup and Action

Using the two support rods and the variable support base (Fig. 1), assemble the optical bench
(Fig. 2); place the meter scale against the front support rod.

Fig. 1 Fig. 2

Place the bottom with stem under the light box (Fig. 3, 4) and clamp it onto the left part of
the support base so that the lens end points away from the optical bench (Fig. 5).

Fig. 3 Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Insert an opaque cover in front of the lens.

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Connect the light box to the power supply (12 V~) and switch it on (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6

Place the screen at the right end of the optical bench and the lens with f = +100 mm close to
the light; adjust its position until the circular light spot on the screen has a diameter which is
about the same size as that of the lens (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7

Insert the diaphragm with the slit into a diaphragm holder and fix it to the frame of the lens
(Fig. 8).

Fig. 8

Set up the lens with f = +50 mm and move it until a focused image is produced (Fig. 9).

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 Fig. 9

Place the mount with scale to the right of the lens (with f = +50 mm), insert the grating into
the second diaphragm holder and fix this to the mount (Fig. 10).

Fig. 10

On the screen you obtain the diffraction spectra (coloured images of the slit).

Move the grating towards and away from the screen; observe the changes which occur on the
screen while doing so. Record your observations on the Results page.

Put the red filter in the diaphragm slot of the light box (Fig. 11) and measure the following
parameters:

l = distance of the grating from the screen (Fig. 12),

2e = distance between the two red stripes, which lie to either side of the centre (Fig. 13).

Record the measured values in Table 1 on the Results page.

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 Fig. 11 Fig. 12

Fig. 13

Replace the red filter with the green one (Fig. 14) and determine the value of 2e for green light
also. Record this value in Table 1 on the Results page.

Fig. 14

Switch off the power supply.

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 Results

Results
Change of the spectrum when moving the grating:

The observations are the same as before. At an angle of rotation of 90, the light spot
is dark.

Table 1

Light colour l in mm 2e in mm in nm
Red nnnnnnnnnn nnnnnnnnnn nnnnnnnnnn
Green nnnnnnnnnn nnnnnnnnnn nnnnnnnnnn

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Angle of rotation Light spot Equivalent to other angle of rotation
0 very bright -
45 bright -
90 dark or disapeared -
135 bright 45
180 very bright 0
270 dark or disappeared 90
360 very bright 0

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 Evaluation

Evaluation
Question 1:
What colour of light is diffracted the most by the grating, which the least?

When the polarising filters are rotated from 0 through to 90 against each other,
less and less light can pass through.
At an angle of rotation of 90 all incident light is blocked.

Question 2:
Calculate the wavelength of the red and green light according to the equation
=ed/l
and record the values in Table 1 on the Results page.
(d = grating constant = 1/80 mm = 0.0125 mm)

The observations are the result of light having the character of transverse waves. Each
filter only lets those parts of the light pass through it which have parallel planes of
oscillation. Thus, light which has passed through one polarising filter cannot pass
the other one if the filters are rotated by 90 against each other.

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