IB skill practice

Analyse diffraction patterns quantitatively

Paper 1, Paper 2 5 marks Difficulty 4

Grating spacing from diffraction angle

A diffraction grating in a harbour wave sensor gives order \(m=2\) at \(16^{\circ}\) for wavelength \(0\,\text{m}\). Calculate the grating spacing. Enter the numerical result and choose the interpretation that matches the wave physics.

Worked practice: physics data and result

Read the physical quantities first, then calculate the result and state what it means.