WAVE OPTICS
[Link] does the fringe width of interference fringes change, when the whole apparatus of Young’s
experiment is kept in a liquid of refractive index 1.3? (Delhi 2008)
Answer:
Fringe width becomes yL times of its initial value.
[Link] does the angular separation of interference fringes change in Young’s experiment, if the distance
between the slits is increased? (Delhi 2008)
Answer:
When separation between two slits is increased, angular separation decreases.
3. State the reason, why two independent sources of light cannot be considered as coherent sources. (Delhi
2008)
Answer:
Two independent sources of light cannot be coherent. This is because light is emitted by individual atoms,
when they return to ground state. Even the smallest source of light contains billions of atoms which obviously
cannot emit light waves in the same phase
4. How does the angle of minimum deviation of a glass prism vary, if the incident violet light is replaced with
red light? (All India 2008)
Answer:
When incident violet light is replaced with red light, the angle of minimum deviation of a glass decreases.
5. What type of wavefront will emerge from a
(i) point source, and
(ii) distant light source? (Delhi 2008)
Answer:
(i) Point source – Spherical wavefront
(ii) Distant light source – Plane wavefront.
6. Draw a diagram to show refraction of a plane wave front incident in a convex lens and hence draw the
refracted wave front. (Delhi 2008)
Answer:
7. How would the angular separation of interference fringes in Young’s double slit experiment change when
the distance between the slits and screen is doubled? (All India 2008)
Answer:
Angular separation θ=λd and is independent of slit-screen separation
∴ There will be no change
8. n a single-slit diffraction experiment, the width of the slit is made double the original width. How does this
affect the size and intensity of the central diffraction band. (All India 2012)
Answer:
If the width of the diffraction slit is doubled, the size of the central diffraction band will become half and its
intensity will become four times of its original value.
[Link] does the fringe width, in Young’s double-slit experiment, change when the distance of separation
between the slits and screen is doubled? (All India 2012)
Answer:
If the distance between slits and screen (D) is doubled, the fringe width in double slit
10. In a single slit diffraction experiment, the width of the slit is reduced to half its original width. How would
this affect the size and intensity of the central maximum? (Comptt. Delhi 2012)
Answer:
11. Define the term ‘coherent sources’ which are required to produce interference pattern in Young’s double
slit experiment. (Comptt. Delhi 2014)
Answer:
Two monochromatic sources, which produce light waves, having a constant phase difference are defined as
coherent sources.
12. Define the term ‘wavefront’.(Comptt. All India 2013)
Answer:
The wavefront is defined as the locus of all particles of a medium, which are vibrating in the same phase.
13, Draw the shape of the wavefront coming out of a convex lens when a plane wave is incident on it.
(Comptt. All India 2013)
Answer:
14. Draw the shape of the wavefront coming out of a concave mirror when a plane wave is incident on it.
(Comptt. All India 2013)
Answer:
15. State one feature by which the phenomenon of interference can be distinguished from that of diffraction.
A parallel beam of light of wavelength 600 nm is incident normally on a slit of width ‘a’. If the distance
between the slits and the screen is 0.8 m and the distance of 2nd order maximum from the centre of the
screen is. 15 mm, calculate the width of the slit. (All India 2008)
Answer:
(i) In interference all the maxima are of equal intensity.
In diffraction pattern central fringe is of maximum intensity while intensity of secondary maxima falls rapidly.
16. (a) Why are coherent sources necessary to produce a sustained interference pattern?
(b) In Young’s double slit experiment using mono-chromatic light of wavelength X, the intensity of light at a
point on the screen where path difference is X, is K units. Find out the intensity of light at a point where path
difference is 2λ3. (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
(a) Coherent sources have a constant phase difference and, therefore, produce a sustained interference
pattern.
These sources are needed to ensure that the position of maxima and minima do not change with time.
17. State two conditions required for obtaining co-herent sources.
In Young’s arrangement to produce interference pattern, show that dark and bright fringes appearing on the
screen are equally spaced. (Comptt. Delhi 2009)
Answer:
Two conditions for obtaining coherent sources: (0 Two sources should give monochromatic light.
(ii) Coherent sources of light should be obtained from a single source by some device.
The fringe width (dark and bright) is given by
Hence, it is same for both dark and bright fringes So they are equally spaced on the screen.
18. Laser light of wavelength 640 nm incident on a pair of slits produces an interference pattern in which the
bright fringes are separated by 7.2 mm. Calculate the wavelength of another source of light which produces
interference fringes separated by 8.1 mm using same arrangement. Also find the minimum value of the order
‘n’ of bright fringe of shorter wavelength which coincides with that of the longer wavelength. (Comptt. All
India 2012)
Answer:
Distance between two bright fringes = Fringe width
Calculation of minimum value of order: for n to be minimum
(n + 1)th maxima of shorter wavelength should coincide with nth maxima of longer wavelength
19. Yellow light (λ = 6000Å) illuminates a single slit of width 1 x 10-4 m. Calculate
(i) the distance between the two dark lines on either side of the central maximum, when the diffraction
pattern is viewed on a screen kept 1.5 m away from the slit;
(ii) the angular spread of the first diffraction minimum. (Comptt. All India 2012)
Answer:
(i) Distance between two dark lines, on either
(ii) Angular spread of the first diffraction minimum (on either side)
20. A parallel beam of light of 500 nm falls on a narrow slit and the resulting diffraction pattern is observed on
a screen 1 m away. It is observed that the first minimum is at a distance of 2.5 mm from the centre of the
screen. Calculate the width of the slit. (All India 2013)
Answer:
21. A parallel beam of light of 600 nm falls on a narrow slit and the resulting diffraction pattern is observed on
a screen 1.2 m away. It is observed that the first minimum is at a distance of 3 mm from the centre of the
screen. Calculate the width of the slit. (All India 2013)
Answer:
22. Write the distinguishing features between a diffraction pattern due to a single slit and the interference
fringes produced in Young’s double slit experiment?
Answer:
Difference between interference and diffraction of light
Interference Diffraction
Interference is due to Diffraction is due to superposition of the
1. superposition of two distinct waves secondary wavelets coming from different
coming from two coherent sources. parts of the same wavefront.
Interference fringes may or may Diffraction fringes are not to be of the same
2.
not be of the same width. width.
The intensity of minima is generally
3. The intensity of minima is never zero.
zero.
All bright fringes are of uniform
4. All bright fringes are not of uniform
intensity.
23. (i) In what way is diffraction from each slit related to the interference pattern in a double slit experiment?
(ii) When a tiny circular obstacle is placed in the path of light from a distance source, a bright spot is seen at
the centre of the shadow of the obstacle. Explain, why. (Comptt. All India 2013)
Answer:
(i) Diffraction from each slit is related to interference pattern in a double slit experiment in the following ways
:
● The intensity of minima for diffraction is never zero, while for interference it is generally zero.
● All bright fringes for diffraction are not of uniform intensity, while for interference, these are of
uniform intensity
(ii) Waves from the distant source are diffracted by the edge of the circular obstacle and these diffracted
waves interfere constructively at the centre of the obstacle’s shadow produc¬ing a bright SPOT.
24. (a) Write the conditions under which light sources can be said to be coherent.
(b) Why is it necessary to have coherent sources in order to produce an interference pattern? (Comptt. All
India 2013)
Answer:
(a) Coherent sources of light. The sources of light, which emit continuously light waves of the same
wavelength, same frequency and in same phase are called Coherent sources of light.
Interference pattern is not obtained. This is because phase difference between the light waves emitted from
two different sodium lamps will change continuously.
(b) Conditions for interference. The important conditions for obtaining interference of light are :
1. The two sources of light must be coherent. i.e. they should exist continuous waves of same wavelength
or frequency.
2. The two sources should be monochromatic.
3. The phase difference of waves from two sources should be constant.
4. The amplitude of waves from two sources should be equal.
25. (i) Monochromatic light of frequency 6.0 × 1014 Hz is produced by a laser. The power emitted is 2.0 × 10-
3
W. Estimate the number of photons emitted per second on an average by the source.
(ii) Draw a plot showing the variation of photoelectric current versus the intensity of incident radiation on a
given photosensitive surface. (Delhi 2014)
Answer:
26. For a single slit of width “a”, the first minimum of the interference pattern of a monochromatic light of
wavelength λ occurs at an angle of λa .
At the same angle of λa, we get a maximum for a two narrow slits separated by a distance “a”. Explain (Delhi
2014)
Answer:
For a single slit of width ‘a’,
the nth minimum, sinθn=nλa
27. Draw the intensity pattern for single slit diffraction and double slit interference. Hence, state two
differences between interference and diffraction patterns. (All India 2017)
Answer:
(i) Intensity distribution in the diffraction due to single slit
(ii) Intensity pattern for double slit interference.
(iii) Difference between Interference and Difference Patterns:
Interference pattern and Diffraction pattern :
The diagram, given here, shows several fringes, due to double slit interference, ‘contained’ in a broad
diffraction peak. When the separation between the slits is large compared to their width, the diffraction
pattern becomes very flat and we observe the two slit interference pattern.
Basic features of distinction between interference and diffraction patterns :
(i) The interference pattern has a number of equally spaced bright and dark bands while diffraction pattern
has a central bright maximum which is twice as wide as the other maxima.
28. How is a wavefront defined? Using Huygen’s construction draw a figure showing the propagation of a
plane wave refracting at a plane surface separating two media. Hence verify Snell’s law of refraction.
29. How is a wavefront defined? Using Huygen’s construction draw a figure showing the propagation of a
plane wave reflecting at the interface of the two media. Shpw that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle
of reflection.
30. a) In a single slit diffraction experiment, a slit of width ‘d’ is illuminated by red light of wavelength 650 nm.
For what value of ‘d’ will
(i) the first minimum fall at an angle of diffraction of 30°, and
(ii) the first maximum fall at an angle of diffraction of 30°?
(b) Why does the intensity of the secondary maximum become less as compared to the central maximum?
(All India 2009)
Answer:
(b) As the order increases only 1/nth (where n is an odd number) of the slit, will contribute in producing
brightness at a point in diffraction. So the higher order maxima are not so bright as the central.
31. In Young’s double slit experiment, the two slits 0. 15 mm apart are illuminated by monochromatic light of
wavelength 450 nm. The screen is 1.0 m away from the slits.
(a) Find the distance of the second
(i) bright fringe,
(ii) dark fringe from the central maximum.
(b) How will the fringe pattern change if the screen is moved away from the slits? (All India 2009)
Answer:
32. Use Huygens’ principle to show how a plane wavefront propagates from a denser to rarer medium. Hence
verify Snell’s law of refraction. (All India 2015)
Answer:
Huygens’ geometrical construction for a plane wave propagation. Let AB be a section of primary wavefront at
any instant t. Take points 1, 2, 3, 4, … on the wavefront AB. Taking each point as centre, draw spheres of
radius r = ct, where c is the velocity of light in the medium.
Draw a surface A1B1 touching tangentially at the secondary wavelets in the forward direction. The surface
A1B1 is the secondary wavefront after time t.
33. (a) The ratio of the widths of two slits in Young’s double slit experiment is 4 : 1. Evaluate the ratio of
intensities at maxima and minima in the interference pattern.
(b) Does the appearance of bright and dark fringes in the interference pattern violate, in any way,
conservation of energy? (Comptt. All India 2015)
Answer:
(b) The appearance of bright and dark fringes in the interference pattern does not violate the principle of
conservation of energy, because the light energy is distributed. If it reduces in one region, producing a dark
fringe, it increases in another region, producing a bright fringe. There is no gain or loss of energy.
34. Is it necessary that the amplitude be constant over a given wavefront?
Yes, In a homogeneous medium, the amplitude is constant on a given wavefront.
35. What happens to the interference pattern if the phase difference between the two sources varies
continuously?
Solution. The positions of bright and dark fringes will change rapidly. Such rapid changes cannot be detected
by our eyes. A uniform illumination is seen on the screen i.e., interference pattern disappears.
36. Two independent monochromatic sources of light cannot produce a sustained interference pattern’.
Give reason.
Solution. The phase difference between the light waves originating from two independent monochromatic
sources will change rapidly with time. The two sources will not be coherent and, therefore, will not produce a
sustained interference pattern.
37. Why should we have a narrow source to produce good interference fringes?
Solution. It is because a broad source is equivalent to a large number of narrow sources lying close to each
other. Different pairs of narrow sources will produce their own interference patterns which will overlap each
other. So, the fringe system is lost.
38. Explain the statement ‘light added to light can produce darkness’.
Solution. When two light waves of equal amplitude meet at a point in opposite phases, the resultant
amplitude and hence intensity become zero at that point. That is when light added to light undergoes
destructive interference, it produces darkness.
39. What happens to the light energy when light waves interfere destructively at a point?
Solution. Energy gets transferred from the regions of destructive interference to the regions of constructive
interference.
40. Why is it comparatively difficult to observe interference in light waves as compared to that in water
waves?
Solution. This is because the wavelength of light waves is much smaller than the wavelength of water waves.
Consequently, the interference fringes have much smaller width in case of light waves than in water waves.
