Order of the maximum
What Order of the maximum means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of Order of the maximum
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Reference: OCR
An integer n in d sin θ = nλ, with the zeroth-order maximum at θ = 0° and higher orders appearing symmetrically on both sides.
The value n, with n = 0 for the central maximum and n = 1, 2, 3 … for successive maxima.
Topics that use Order of the maximum
- Diffraction (AQA A-Level)
- Superposition (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- Constructive interference
- Path difference
- Central maximum
- Coherence
- Constructive and destructive superposition
- Constructive superposition
- Destructive interference
- Destructive superposition
Using Order of the maximum in the exam
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