Wave Theory of Light

In the late 17th century, scientists were embroiled

in a debate about the fundamental nature of light
– whether it was a wave or a particle. Sir Isaac
Newton was a strong advocate of the particle
nature of light. But, the Dutch physicist, Christian
Huygens believed that light was made up of waves
vibrating up and down perpendicular to the
direction of the wave propagation.
History Of The Wave Theory Of Light

• In 1678, Huygens proposed that every point

where a luminous disturbance meets turns
into a source of the spherical wave itself. The
sum of the secondary waves, which are the
result of the disturbance, determines what
form the new wave will take. This theory of
light is known as the ‘Huygens’ Principle’.
• Using the above-stated principle, Huygens was
successful in deriving the laws of reflection and
refraction of light. He was also successful in
explaining the linear and spherical propagation of
light using this theory. However, he wasn’t able to
explain the diffraction effects of light.
• Later, in 1801, the experiment conducted by
Thomas Young on the interference of light proved
the Huygens wave theory of light to be correct.
• Max Planck proposed that light is made of
finite packets of energy known as a light
quantum and it depends on the frequency and
velocity of light.
• Later, in 1905, Einstein proposed that light
possessed the characteristics of both particle
and wave. He suggested that light is made of
small particles called photons.
Water Wave
 Wave front
• When the light waves travels in a medium
then the locus of all the points vibrating in the
same phase at a time is called wave front .
• (i) For point source
• Spherical Wave front
(ii) For Line Source

• For line source the

wavefront is
cylindrical.
(iii) For a source lies
on infinity
Wave front is plane Rays

Plane Wavefront
 Huygens’ Principle
• (i) Every point on a wavefront acts as a fresh
source of light sending wave in a all direction
as sanded by the original source. These
waves are called secondary wavelets.
• (ii) The envelope of the secondary wavelets
in the forward direction at any instant gives
the new wavefront at that instant called
secondary wavefront.
 A A1 A2 A A1
Wavefront A2
a a
b
b
c
c
d
d
e
B2
e
B
B1 B2 B B1
Reflection of a wave(Light) from
Plane Surface’(Laws of reflection)
• Let a plane
wavefront AB
incident on B1
reflecting surface B
XY at A.
• Let speed of light is
c. According to
Huygens' first
principle, X A
A1 y

Let the secondary wave start from point B

reaches to reflecting surface point A1 in time t.
In the same time the secondary waves from
point A reaches to point B1.
Hence BA1 = AB1 = c x t
Taking A as centre and
B1
radius equal to AB1 B
or BA1, draw sphere N N

The tangent A1B1 from

r
A1 on this sphere i i r
becomes reflected A1
X A
wavefront.
< BAA1 = < i and <AA1B1 = < r
In Δ ABA1 sin i = BA1/ AA1---------1

• In Δ AB1A1 sin r = B1A/ AA1-------2

• Dividing eq.1 by eq. 2 we get
sin i BA1 / AA1
=
sin r AB1 / AA1
sin i c  t
=
sin r c  t
sin i = sin r
i = r
Laws of Refraction ( Snell’s Law)
• Let XY is a surface separating two medium 1
and 2. Let AB is a plane wavefront striking at
point A. Let v1 and v2 are the velocity in the
two medium. B
Let the secondary
waves from point 1
B reaches to point X A1 Y
A1 to the A 2
refracting surface
XY in t seconds B1
BA1 = v1 X t
 In the same time secondary waves from point A
reaches to point B1. AB1= v2t,
• Taking A as centre and radius equal to AB1
draw a sphere. N B
The tangent on this
<i
sphere A1B1 is called 1
< i A
refracted wavefront X A
1 Y
<r 2
< BAA1 = < i
<AA1B1 = < r B1 <r
N

In Δ ABA1 sin i = BA1/ AA1---------1

In Δ AB1A1 sin r = B1A/ AA1-------2

• Dividing eq.1 by eq. 2

we get sin i 1
= 2
sin i BA1 / AA1 sin r
=
sin r AB1 / AA1 Which is Snell’s Law
sin i v1  t If first medium is air
= sin i
sin r v2  t =
sin i v1 sin r
=
sin r v2
• But v1/v2 = 1µ2
 Q-Draw a diagram to show the behaviour of
plane wave front as they pass through(i) prism
(ii) convex lens and concave mirror.
Reflected
Sol. wavefront

Incident
wavefront

Incident Reflected Incident Reflected

wavefront wavefront wavefront wavefront
Q-Sketch the wave front corresponding to (a)
converging rays (b) diverging rays.
• Sol.

Spherical
Wavefront
 Interference of Light
• Principle of Superposition of waves
• When two or more waves travel in a medium
simultaneously, then the resultant
displacement at each point of the medium at
any time is equal to vector sum of the
displacement produces by the each wave
separately. This principle is called principle of
superposition.
Interference of Light
• When two light waves of same frequency
travel in a medium simultaneously in the same
direction then due to their superposition, the
resultant intensity of light at some point
become maximum and on the other points
becomes minimum. This phenomenon of light
is called interference.
• The re-distribution of light intensity due to
superposition of light waves is called
interference of light.
Young’s Double-Slit Experiment
 Sustained Interference
• The interference in which position of maxima
and minima does not change with time is
called sustained interference.
• Condition for sustained interference
• 1- The light should come from the two sources
continuously.
• 2- The frequency and wave length of the two
light waves must be equal.
3- The two light wave should be either in the
same phase or have a constant phase difference.
4- The two light waves should be obtained from a
single source. Two independent light source can not
produce sustained interference.
Coherent sources
The light sources of same frequency, same wavelength
and have a constant phase difference are called
coherent sources.
The two light sources which are obtained from a single
monochromatic source are called coherent sources.
Fresnel's biprism and Lloyd's Mirror produces
coherent sources
Condition for Constructive and
Destructive Interference
(Maxima and Minima) P
• Let two light sources S1 S1
and S2 of same frequency
produces light waves
O
• y1 =a1 sin ωt and
• y2 =a2 sin (ωt +φ) S2
• By superposition principle
the resultant
displacement at P is
• y = y1 +y2
Or y = a1 sin t + a2 sin(t +  )

Or y = a1 sin t + a2 sin t cos  + a2 cos t sin 

y = (a1 + a2 cos  )sin t + a2 sin  cos t − − − 1
Let a1+a2 cosφ =A cosθ --------2
And a2 sinφ= A sinθ ----------3
Putting these values in eq. 1 we get
y = Aco sin t + A sin  cos t
y = A sin(t +  ) − − − − − 4
The resultant displacement at P is represented by
eq.4 which is a sinusoidal wave of amplitude A
To find the resultant amplitude at point P,
squaring and adding eq.2 and eq.3
• We get
(a1 + a2 cos  ) + (a2 sin  ) = A2 sin 2  + A2 cos 2 
2 2

A2 = a12 + a22 cos 2  + 2a1a2 cos  + a22 sin 2 

A2 = a12 + a22 + 2a1a2 cos 
• The intensity of a wave is directly proportional
to the amplitude of wave
I = a + a + 2a1a2 cos 
2
1
2
2 I1 = a , I 2 = a
2
1
2
2

I = I1 + I 2 + 2 I1 I 2 cos 
(i) Constructive Interference
• For constructive interference(maxima) the
value of cosφ must be maximum
• cosφ = + 1
• Or φ = 0,2π,4π ---
• φ = 2nπ Where n = 0,1,2,3----
• Hence for maxima the phase difference will
be even multiple of π .

• The path difference x =  
2
 
or x = 2  2n

• Or x = n
• Hence for constructive interference the path
difference will be integral multiple of
wavelength of light( 0, 1λ, 2λ, 3λ ---)
• The intensity of maxima
• max 1
I = a 2
+ a 2 + 2a1a2
2

I max = (a1 + a2 ) 2
(i) Destructive Interference
• For destructive interference(minima) the value
of cosφ must be minimum
• cosφ = - 1
• Or φ = π,3π,5π ---
• φ = (2n+1)π Where n =0,1,2,3----
• Hence for minima the phase difference will
be odd multiple of π .

• The path difference x =  
2
 
Or x = 2  (2n + 1)

x = (2n + 1)
2
Hence for destructive interference the path difference
will be odd multiple of half wavelength of light
(λ/2, 3λ/2, 5λ/2 ---)
The intensity of minima
I min = a12 + a22 − 2a1a2
I min = (a1 − a2 ) 2
Q- Two coherent sources whose intensity ratio is 25:1
are used in Young’s double slit experiments. Calculate
the ratio of maxima and minima in interference
pattern
I1 a12
Sol. I2
= 2
a2
25 a12
= 2
1 a2
5a2 = a1

I max (a + a2 )
= 1
2

We know that I min (a1 − a2 )2

I max
=
(5a2 + a2 )
2
I max
= 9:4
I min (5a2 − a2 )2 I min
Q- Consider interference between wave from two
sources of intensities I and 4I. Find the intensities at
points where the phase difference is (i) 0,(ii) π/2 (iii)π
• We know that the intensity at a point where
the phase difference is φ
I R = I1 + I 2 + 2 I1 I 2 cos 
• Here I1 = I , and I2 = 4I
I R = I + 4 I + 2 I  4 I cos 
I R = 5 I + 4 I cos 
• (i) when φ=0 I R = 5I + 4 I cos 0 I R = 9I
• (ii) when φ=π/2
I R = 5 I + 4 I cos  I R = 5 I + 4 I cos  / 2 I R = 5I
• (iii) when φ=π
I R = 5 I + 4 I cos  I R = 5 I + 4 I cos  IR = I
• (iv) let Path difference x = λ/3
• Phase difference φ = 2π/3
I R = 5 I + 4 I cos 2 / 3 I R = 5I − 2 I

I R = 3I
Q- If the two slits in Young’s double slits experiment
have width ratio 4:1.find the ratio of maxima and
minima in interference pattern.
w1 I1 a12
Sol.w = I = a 2
2 2 2
2
4 a1
= 2
1 a2
2 a1
=
1 a2
a1 = 2a2
I max
=
(a1 + a2 )
2

I min (a1 − a2 )2
I max
=
(2a2 + a2 )
2
I max
=
9a2
2
I max
= 9 :1
I min (2a2 − a2 )2 I min a2
2
I min
Expression for Fringe-Width
• Let the two sources S1and S2 are separated by
distance ‘d’ and screen is placed at distance
‘D’. Let Y is the distance of point P from the
centre of the screen.
S1P2= S1M2 +MP2 P
S1
S1P2= D2 +(y-d/2)2-------(1) M y
S2P2= S2N2 +NP2
2 2 2
d O
S2P = D +(y + d/2) ------(2)
N
Subtracting eq.1 from eq.2 S2 D
S2P2-S1P2 = (y + d/2)2-(y-d/2)2
or S2P2-S1P2 = 2yd
Or (S2P-S1P)(S2P+S1P) = 2yd
(S2P-S1P) = 2yd/ (S2P+S1P)
x = 2yd/(D +D)
x = yd/D ----------(3)
(i) Position of bright fringe
For constructive interference path difference
x= nλ
yd/D =nλ
 nD
Or y=
d

For n=0 y0 = 0 Position of central bright fringe

D
n=1 y1 = Position of first bright fringe
d
n=2 y2 = 2D Position of second bright fringe
d
-------------
nD
n=n yn = d Position of nth bright fringe
Width of dark fringe  = yn − yn−1 = nD − (n − 1)D
d d
D
= (n − n + 1)
d
D
=
d
(ii) Position of Dark fringe

• For destructive interference path difference


x = (2n + 1) But x= yd/D
2
= (2n + 1)
yd
D 2
D
y = (2n + 1)
2d
D
For n=0 
y1 = Position of first dark fringe
2d
n=1 3D
y2 = Position of second dark fringe
2d
n=2 5D
y3 = Position of third dark fringe
2d
------------- (2n − 1)D Position of nth dark fringe
for n=n-1 yn =
2d

• Width of bright fringes

 =y −y =

(2n + 1)D (2n − 1)D
−
n +1 n
2d 2d
D
 = (2n + 1 − 2n + 1)
2d
D
 =

d
• As width of dark and bright fringes are equal
D
• Then fringe width  = d
 
• Angular width  = D or  = d
Intensity distribution curve in interference
• Pattern Intensity

2λ λ 0 λ 2λ
How the interference pattern get change, when
(i) Screen moves away from the source
(ii) Light of shorter wavelength is used.
(iii) Whole apparatus is dipped in a liquid of
refractive index µ
(iv) Monochromatic light is replaced by white
light.
D
Sol. We know that fringe width  =
d
(i)As screen moves away then D will increase,
hence fringe width will increase.
(ii)When light of short wavelength(λ) is used
then fringe width will decrease
 c
(iii) We know that refractive index  =
v
 
Or  = =
  

Wavelength of light in liquid   =
 D 
New fringe width  =
d
D
 =

d
1  D 
 =  
 d 

 =

(iv) When monochromatic light is replaced by
white light
• A few colored fringe obtain around central
white fringe, then a general illumination.