Which of the following statements about diffraction gratings is true?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following statements about diffraction gratings is true?
They can only produce first-order maxima
They can produce multiple orders of maxima
They do not produce any maxima
They only work with monochromatic light
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following statements about diffraction gratings is true?
Step 1: Understand what a diffraction grating is. It is an optical component with a pattern that splits light into several beams.
Step 2: Learn about constructive interference. This happens when light waves overlap in such a way that they amplify each other.
Step 3: Realize that when light passes through a diffraction grating, it can create bright spots called maxima.
Step 4: Know that these maxima occur at different angles and are called orders. The first bright spot is the first order, the second is the second order, and so on.
Step 5: Conclude that diffraction gratings can produce multiple orders of maxima because of the constructive interference of light waves.