Understanding Diffraction Using Paper and a Protractor

作者：Samide Michael J^*

来源：Journal of Chemical Education, 2013, 90(7): 907-909.

DOI：10.1021/ed300830j

• High School/Introductory Chemistry
• First-Year Undergraduate
• Second-Year Undergraduate
• Analytical Chemistry
• Hands-On Learning/Manipulatives
• Spectroscopy
• Student-Centered Learning

Students are often able to manipulate the mathematics behind diffraction, but have a hard time grasping the concepts of point sources, constructive interference, and diffraction order. An in-class activity has been developed to assist students in discovering the conceptual basis of diffraction. Students build a diffraction grating model out of provided materials and then rotate two "light rays" and measure angles. Using the measured angles, students can calculate the wavelength (the spacing) of the lines on the paper as a function of diffraction order. Furthermore, students can calculate dispersion as a function of order of diffraction. Using this activity, students have an opportunity to make an abstract concept more concrete.

• 出版日期2013-7