Which of the following best explains why different orders of the visible spectrum…
PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Waves Sound and Physical Optics · Waves Sound and Physical Optics
Problem
Which of the following best explains why different orders of the visible spectrum produced by a diffraction grating may overlap on a screen?
(a) Because the angles predicted by the grating equation become tightly packed as m increases (sinθ≤1), the bright peaks of all wavelengths crowd together in the higher orders, making the spectra overlap.
(b) For certain pairs of wavelengths, a higher order of the shorter wavelength can satisfy the same diffraction condition as a lower order of the longer wavelength.
(c) The finite width of each slit creates broad diffraction peaks whose tails extend far enough that maxima of different colors in adjacent orders blend together.
(d) Overlap occurs only if the screen is placed very close to the grating; at small projection distances the fringe spacing is so small that separate colors cannot be resolved.