Separating waves of very close wavelengths

1. What separates wavelengths?
2. What is the relationship between the wavelengths and the separation of the Maxima?
3. What happens when the wavelength is bigger than the gap?
4. What if gap is smaller than wavelength?

What separates wavelengths?

Answer and Explanation: A spectroscope is an instrument that separates light into light into various wavelengths.

What is the relationship between the wavelengths and the separation of the Maxima?

If light of a longer wavelength is used, the maxima are at larger angles. When light of multiple wavelengths is used, the different wavelengths(different colors) are separated. The separation of the colors is much larger than that obtained with a prism, so a diffraction grating can be thought of as a "super prism".

What happens when the wavelength is bigger than the gap?

The waves always 'spread' to some extent into the area beyond the gap. This is diffraction - the spreading out of waves when they go through a gap, or past the edge of a barrier.

What if gap is smaller than wavelength?

When the gap size is smaller than the wavelength (top movie), more diffraction occurs and the waves spread out greatly – the wavefronts are almost semicircular.