SKH Li Fook Hing Secondary School Physics

WA1
Name:_________________________ Class No.:_____ Group No.:_______ Date of Experiment: ___________

WA1 Experiment: Estimating the wavelength of light

using a diffraction grating
Objective: To estimate the wavelength of a light source
Apparatus: a diffraction grating, half-metre ruler (1), metre ruler (2), sodium lamp, pins (2) and
laser pointer (ask the teacher to provide after the checking of set-up).
Procedure and results:
1. Align a half-metre ruler with the sodium
lamp and locate a metre ruler horizontally to
form a “T” as shown.

2. Hold a diffraction grating against the end of

ruler and view the lamp through the grating. θ

The grating of the diffraction grating is _______________ lines per cm.

Grating separation d = _________________________m

3. Ask your partner to locate the position of the zero order of diffraction spectrum. Then, ask your
partner to move the pin along the ruler until it is in line with the middle of the first order of
spectrum. Measure the separation between the zero and first order of spectrum (x).
4. Locate the second order of diffraction spectrum and measure the zero and second order of
spectrum (x). Apply the grating formula d sin ϑ = nλ
Tabulate your results
(The length of a metre ruler and half-metre ruler are 1 metre and 0.5m respectively)
First order Second order
Grating separation d / m
Separation x / m
θ
tanθ

θ
sinθ

n
d sin ϑ
λ= /m
n

Average wavelength of sodium light = __________________m

= __________________μm
o o
= __________________ A (1 A = 10-10m)

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 SKH Li Fook Hing Secondary School Physics

WA1
Name:_________________________ Class No.:_____ Group No.:_______ Date of Experiment: ___________

Modify the above experimental setup to measure the wavelength of a red laser.
(Never look at the laser beam directly! It is extremely harmful to the eye.)
Draw your experimental setup (Use the 2 meter rulers.)

Ask your teacher to approve your setup before doing the above experiment.
Tabulate your results.
Red laser 1st order 2nd order 3rd order 4th order
d/m
x/m
θ
tanθ
θ
sinθ
n
d sin ϑ
λ= /m
n
o
Average wavelength of the red laser = __________________m = ________________ A
Repeat the above procedure for green laser.

Green laser 1st order 2nd order 3rd order 4th order
d/m
x/m
n
d sin ϑ
λ= /m
n
o
Average wavelength of the green laser = __________________m = ________________ A

Questions:
1. Why does a sodium light source use instead of light bulb?
2. State the precautions in using laser pointer in this experiment.
3. Discuss the sources of error in the experiment.
4. How can you reduce the percentage error in the experiment?
Reference: Further Physics Book I p.207-p.213, New Way Physics Book 2 p.104-p.106

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