The widths of the lines produced by monochromatic light falling on a diffraction grating can be reduced by:?
The correct answer is:
increasing the number of rulings without changing their spacing
why? thanks!!
The resolving power of a grating is R = nm where n is the order number and m is the total number of lines on the grating. So the larger total number of lines will do it. Changing from order 1 to order 2 also will do it
Well, it's like giving the light a make-over! By increasing the number of rulings without changing their spacing, you're basically telling the diffraction grating, "Hey, let's add more lines, but let's keep them just as far apart as before." And voila! The result is narrower widths of the lines produced. It's like the diffraction grating went on a diet and got a slimmer look. So, more rulings without changing their spacing is the secret to reducing the line widths. Who knew fashion could apply to light too?
The widths of the lines produced by monochromatic light falling on a diffraction grating can be reduced by increasing the number of rulings without changing their spacing. This is because the spacing between the rulings determines the angle at which the light is diffracted. When the number of rulings is increased, the spacing between them remains the same, but the overall width of the grating increases. This means that the same amount of light is spread over a larger width, resulting in narrower lines. Additionally, increasing the number of rulings also increases the number of interference patterns, which can further reduce the width of the lines.
To understand why increasing the number of rulings without changing their spacing can reduce the widths of the lines produced by monochromatic light falling on a diffraction grating, we need to understand the concept of diffraction and how it relates to the spacing of the rulings on the grating.
A diffraction grating is a surface with a series of closely-spaced parallel lines, called rulings. When monochromatic light (light of a single wavelength) falls on a diffraction grating, it undergoes diffraction, which is the bending and spreading of light waves as they pass through narrow openings or around obstacles.
The spacing between the rulings on a diffraction grating plays a crucial role in determining the properties of the diffraction patterns produced. Specifically, the narrower the spacing between the rulings, the larger the angle between the diffracted beams.
The width of the lines produced by monochromatic light falling on a diffraction grating is directly related to the angle between the diffracted beams. When the angle is larger, the lines appear wider.
By increasing the number of rulings on the grating while keeping the spacing between them constant, we effectively decrease the spacing between the rulings. This narrower spacing results in larger diffraction angles, which in turn leads to narrower lines in the diffraction pattern. Therefore, by increasing the number of rulings without changing their spacing, we can reduce the widths of the lines produced by monochromatic light falling on a diffraction grating.
In summary, increasing the number of rulings without changing their spacing will reduce the widths of the lines produced because it decreases the spacing between the rulings, resulting in larger diffraction angles and narrower lines in the diffraction pattern.