Bragg's Law (solving for n)

The Order of Diffraction (Bragg's Law) calculator uses Bragg's Law equation (nλ = 2dsinθ) to compute the order of diffraction based on the wavelength, angle of incidence and distance between layers of atoms. 

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose the preferred units and enter the following:

• (λ) wavelength
• (d) distance between layers of atoms.
• (θ) the angle of incidence of the incoming x-ray

Order of Diffraction(n): The calculator returns the order of diffraction.

The Math / Science

The Bragg's Law equation is used in chemistry to help describe the scattering effects when an x-ray is shone onto a crystal lattice, and is often used for X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). If the crystal structure is known, then Bragg's Law can be used to calculate the wavelength of the x-rays hitting its surface. However, if the crystal structure is unknown, then the incoming x-ray information can be used to calculate details about the crystal lattice structure. This information is useful to chemists and can provide data on new crystal lattice structures.  Bragg's Law is represented in the following formula:

      nλ = 2dsinθ

where: 

• (λ) wavelength of x-ray
• (n) order of diffraction
• (d) distance between layers of atoms
• (θ) the angle of incidence of the incoming x-ray

This calculator solves the Bragg's Law formula for the order of diffraction (n) in the following formula:

      n = 2dsinθ/ λ

Related Bragg's Law Calculators:

• (λ) wavelength of x-ray
• (n) order of diffraction
• (d) distance between layers of atoms
• (θ) the angle of incidence of the incoming x-ray
  

Snell's Law Calculators

• Angle of Transmission
• Angle of Incidence
• Refractive Index of Medium 1 (n₁)
• Refractive Index of Medium 2 (n₂)
• Critical Angle