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For Students · Diffraction Grating

Diffraction Grating for a light guide

Built for students learning it for a class or exam. See the concept move instead of memorizing formulas — and check your homework intuition. Simulate a light guide live below — adjust the inputs and watch it respond, right in your browser.

Diffraction GratingLive

N-slit interference

Controls

More slits make the bright maxima sharper and brighter — the principle behind spectrometers that split light into precise spectral lines.

Presets

Number of slits

Slit spacing

Wavelength

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Data Inspector

Slits5

Resolution∝ N

Maxima atd·sinθ = mλ

Governing equation

d sin θ = mλ : 30 sin θ = m \cdot 20, θ_{1} = 41. 8^{\circ}

Reading this result: The bright maxima stay locked where d·sinθ = mλ — fixed by spacing and wavelength, not slit count — but with 5 slits each principal peak is about 5× narrower and far more intense, which is how a grating resolves fine spectral lines.

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Frequently asked questions

Is this good for students?: Yes — this version of "Diffraction Grating for a light guide" is framed for students learning it for a class or exam. See the concept move instead of memorizing formulas — and check your homework intuition.
Do I need to install anything?: No. It runs in any modern browser, free, with no account required.