Should the wavelengths computed from 2nd order lines be more accurate or more precise than those compute from 1st order lines?

To determine if the wavelengths computed from 2nd order lines are more accurate or more precise than those computed from 1st order lines, we need to understand the concepts of accuracy and precision.

Accuracy refers to how close a measured value is to the true or accepted value. In the context of wavelength computation, accuracy would mean how close the computed wavelength is to the actual, known wavelength.

Precision, on the other hand, refers to the consistency or reproducibility of a measurement. It indicates how close repeated measurements of the same quantity are to each other. In the context of wavelength computation, precision would mean how close multiple computations of the same wavelength using the same method and set of data are to each other.

Now, let's consider the difference between 1st and 2nd order lines. In spectroscopy or other similar studies, when light passes through a diffraction grating or a prism, it gets dispersed into different orders of spectral lines. The 1st order lines are the ones that deviate the least from the original path of the incident light, while the 2nd order lines deviate twice as much.

In general, the measurements obtained from higher order lines, such as 2nd order lines, tend to have a higher precision but a lower accuracy compared to 1st order lines. This is because 2nd order lines enable better differentiation of small changes in wavelength, leading to higher precision in wavelength computation. However, due to the increased deviation from the original path, the measured values might be further away from the actual, known wavelengths, resulting in lower accuracy.

Ultimately, whether the wavelengths computed from 2nd order lines are more accurate or more precise than those computed from 1st order lines depends on the specific experimental setup, the quality of the instrument used, and the objective of the measurement. It's essential to consider both accuracy and precision when evaluating the reliability and suitability of the computed wavelengths.