Problem 17.53 Part A If sunlight shines straight onto a peacock feather, the fea

Question

Problem 17.53 Part A If sunlight shines straight onto a peacock feather, the feather appears bright blue when viewed from 17 on either side of the incident beam of sunlight. on either side of the incident beam of sunlight. The blue color is due to diffraction from the melanin bands in the feather barbules, as was shown in the photograph on (Figure 1) . Blue light with a wavelength of 475 nm is diffracted at 17' by these bands (this is the first-order diffraction) while other wavelengths in the sunlight are diffracted at different angles. What is the spacing of the melanin bands in the feather? Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units d= 1 Value Units Submit My Answers Give Up Provide Feedba Continue Figure 1of 1 x 10,000

Explanation / Answer

Given,

theta = 17 deg ; lambda = 475 nm ;

A)we know that

d sin(theta) = m lambda

for m = 1

d sin(theta) = lambda

d = lambda/sin(theta)

d = 475/sin17 = 1624.64 nm

Hence, d = 1624.64 nm (upto two significant figures)

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse P
• Subjects

---