INTERFERENCE NUMERICALS
1. A beam of parallel rays is incident at an angle of 40° with normal on a
plane parallel film of thickness 4x10-5 cm and Refractive index 1.5. Show
that the reflected light whose wavelength is 7.228 x10 -5 cm will be
strengthened by reinforcement.
Given: i = 40°
t = 4x10-5 cm
μ = 1.5
λ = 7.228 x10-5 cm
Formula : 2μtcosr = (2n±1) λ/2
sin 𝑖
Solution: μ =
sin 𝑟
sin 40
μ=
sin 𝑟
⸫ r = 25.37
Cos r = 0.935
Using 2μtcosr = (2n±1) λ/2
Let (2n±1) = m
Therefore, 2μtcosr =m λ/2
2 x 1.5x 4x10-5 x 0.935 = m x7.228 x10-5 /2
⸫ m= 3
Since m is odd, the film appears bright.
2. A glass plate of 0.4 μm thickness is illuminated by a beam of white light
normal to the plate. The Refractive Index of glass is 1.5.Which
wavelength in the visible spectrum will be intensified in the reflected
beam?
Given: t = 0.4 x 10-6 m
μ = 1.5
normal incidence, so cos r =1
Formula: 2μtcosr = (2n±1) λ/2
Solution: 2μtcosr = (2n±1) λ/2
4𝜇𝑡
⸫λ=
(2𝑛±1)
Substitute n as 0,1,2,3,4………… to find corresponding wavelength
For n = 0 . λ1 = 24000 A°
n= 1 , λ2 = 8000 A°
n=2 , λ3 = 4800 A°
n=3, λ4 = 3428A°
Visible range is from 3900 A° -7900 A°
So, the wavelength corresponding to 4800 A° lies in the visible range and this
wavelength will be intensified.
3. White light is incident on a soap film of refractive index 1.33 at angle
sin-1 (4/5) and the reflected light on examination shows dark bands. Two
consecutive dark bands correspond to wavelength 6100 A° and
6000A°.calculate the thickness of the film.
Given: λ1 = 6.1 x10-5 cm
λ2 = 6.0 x10-5 cm
μ =1.33
i= sin-1 (4/5)
Formula: 2μtcosr = nλ
For dark bands: 2μtcosr = n λ1 ----------------------------(1)
2μtcosr = (n+1) λ2 -----------------------------(2)
From (1) & (2),
n λ1 = (n+1) λ2
⸫ n(λ1 - λ2)= λ2
⸫ n = λ2 / (λ1 - λ2)
So, n=60
sin 𝑖
μ=
sin 𝑟
4
5
1.33 =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑟
Sinr =0.601
Cos r= √(1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑟)
Cos r= 0.7999
Substituting value of cos r and n in equation (1)
2x1.33xtx0.7999 =60x6.1 x10-5
Thickness t =172.013 x10-5 cm
1.72x 10-3 cm
4. A drop of oil of volume 0.2cc is dropped on a surface of water of area
1sqm.The film spreads uniformly over the whole surface and light which
is incident normally is observed through a spectrometer. The spectrum is
seen to contain one dark band. find refractive index of oil if the
wavelength of light used is 5.5 x10-5 cm.
Given: V = 0.2 cm3
A = 1sqm = 100 sq cm
𝑉
Thickness t =
𝐴
0.2
= = 2x 10-5 cm
1002
n=1
Formula: 2μtcosr = nλ
solution: 2x μ x2x 10-5 = 1x5.5 x10-5
therefore, μ = 1.375
5. A wedge-shaped air film having an angle of 40 sec is illuminated by
monochromatic light and fringes are observed vertically through a
microscope. The distance measured between consecutive bright fringe is
0.12 m. calculate wavelength of light.
Given: θ = 40 sec of an arc
β = 0.12 cm
μ = 1 (air film)
To find: λ
𝜆
Formula: 𝛽=
2𝜇𝜃
Solution:
Conversion 360° = 2𝜋 radian
1° = 2𝜋 /360 radian
𝜋
1° = radians
180
𝜋
60 minutes = radians
180
𝜋
60 x 60 sec = radians
180
𝜋
1 sec= radians
180𝑥60𝑥60
𝜋
Therefore , = θ = 40 x radians
180𝑥60𝑥60
𝜋
Therefore, λ = 2x 0.12x 40 x
180𝑥60𝑥60
λ = 4654 A°
6. Fringes of equal thickness are observed in a thin glass wedge of refractive
index 1.52. Fringe spacing is 1mm and wavelength of light is 5890 A°.
Calculate the angle of wedge in sec of an arc.
Given: μ = 1.52
β = 1 mm = 0.1 cm
λ = 5890 A° = 5890 x10-8 cm
To find: θ in sec of an arc
𝜆
Formula: 𝛽 =
2𝜇𝜃
𝜆
𝜃=
2𝜇𝛽
5890 x10−8
θ=
2𝑥1.52𝑥 0.1
θ = 1.9375 x 10-4 radians
180𝑥60𝑥60
= x 1.9375 x 10-4
𝜋
θ=40 sec of an arc
7. Two glass plates enclose a wedge-shaped air film touching at one edge
and are separated by a wire of 0.05 mm diameter at a distance of 15 cm
from the edge. calculate the fringe width, monochromatic light of
wavelength 6000 A° from a broad source falls normally on film.
Given: diameter d = 0.05 mm = 0.005 cm
Distance (length) l = 15 cm
Wavelength λ = 6000 x10 -8 cm
To find: fringe width β
𝜆𝑙
Formula: diameter d=
2𝜇𝛽
Solution:
𝜆𝑙
d=
2𝜇𝛽
𝜆𝑙
therefore, β=
2𝜇𝑑
6000𝑥 10−8 𝑥 15
=
2𝑥1𝑥0.005
= 0.09 cm
8. A cellophane film with refractive index 1.5 has a wedge-shaped section so
that its thickness at two opposite side is t1 and t2. If with a light of
wavelength of 6000A°incident normally, the number of dark fringes
appearing on film is 10. calculate the difference t2-t1.
Given: μ =1.5
λ= 6000x10-8 cm
To find: t2-t1.
Formula: 2μtcos(r+θ) = nλ
Solution: If n is the order of fringes at one end where thickness is t1 , then the
order of fringe at other end where thickness is t2 will be (n+10)
2μt1 cos(r+θ) = nλ ------------------------------------(1)
2μt2 cos(r+θ) = (n+10) λ ------------------------------------(2)
Subtracting equation (1) and (2)
2μ (t2-t1) cos(r+θ) = 10 λ
Assuming cos(r+θ) =1
2μ (t2-t1) = 10 λ
10𝜆
(t2-t1) =
2𝜇
10𝑥6000𝑥10−8
=
2𝑥1.5
= 2x10-4 cm
9. In a Newton’s ring arrangement, if a drop of liquid of refractive index
1.33 be placed in between the lens and plate. The diameter of 9 th dark ring
is found to be 0.58 cm. Obtain the radius of curvature, if the wavelength
of light is 6000 A° .
Given: μ =1.33
D9 = 0.58 cm
λ= 6000 x10-8 cm
To find: R
4𝑛𝜆𝑅
Formula: 𝐷𝑛2 =
𝜇
2 4𝑥9𝑥6000𝑥10−8 𝑥𝑅
(0.58) =
1.33
R= 207 cm
10.Newton’s ring are formed by light reflected normally from a convex lens
of Radius of curvature 90 cm and a glass plate with a liquid in between
them, The diameter of nth dark ring is 2.25 mm and that of (n+9)th dark
ring is 4.5 mm. Calculate the refractive index of the liquid. The
wavelength of light is 6000 x 10-8 cm.
Given: λ = 6000 x 10-8 cm.
R = 90 cm
Dn =2.25 mm= 0.225 cm
D (n+9) = 4.5 mm =0.45 cm
To find: μ
2 4𝑝𝜆𝑅
Formula: 𝐷(𝑛+𝑝) - 𝐷𝑛2 =
𝜇
2 4𝑥9𝑥6000𝑥10−8 𝑥90
Solution: 𝐷(𝑛+9) - 𝐷𝑛2 =
𝜇
4𝑥9𝑥6000𝑥10−8 𝑥90
(0.45)2 – (0.225)2 =
𝜇
Therefore, μ = 1.28
11.Newton’s rings formed with sodium light between a flat glass plate and a
convex lens are viewed normally. What will be the order of the dark ring
which will have double the diameter of that of 40th dark ring?
Formula: 𝐷𝑛2 = 4nλR
Solution:
Let diameter of nth dark ring be double the diameter of 40th dark ring.
So, Dn = 2 D40---------------------------------(1)
we know, 𝐷𝑛2 = 4nλR
2
𝐷40 = 4x40x λxR
Squaring equation (1)
( Dn )2 = (2 D40)2
2
i.e, 𝐷𝑛2 = 4 𝑥 𝐷40
4 x n x λ x R = 4 x 4 x 40 x λ x R
Therefore, n= 160
12. The diameter of 5th dark ring in Newton’s ring experiment was found to
be 0.42 cm. Determine the diameter of 10th dark ring.
Given: D5 = 0.42 cm
To find: D10
Formula: 𝐷𝑛2 = 4nλR
Solution: 𝐷52 = 4x 5 x λ x R---------------------------(1)
2
𝐷10 = 4 x10 x λ x R ------------------------(2)
Dividing equation 1 and 2
2 𝐷52 = 𝐷10
2
Therefore D10 = √2 D5
D10 = 1.414 x 0.42 = 0.594 cm
13.Light containing two wavelength λ1 & λ2 falls normally on a convex lens
of radius of curvature R resting on a glass plate. Now, if the n th dark ring
due to λ1 coincides with (n+1)th dark ring due to λ2, then prove that the
𝜆 𝜆2 .𝑅
radius of nth dark ring due to λ1 is √(𝜆1 .
1 −𝜆2 )
Solution: we know, 𝐷𝑛2 = 4nλR
So, 𝐷𝑛2 = 4nλ1 R -----------------------(1)
2
𝐷𝑛+1 = 4(n+1) λ2 R ---------------(2)
2
As per the given data 𝐷𝑛2 = 𝐷𝑛+1
So, 4nλ1 R = 4(n+1) λ2 R
nλ1 = (n+1) λ2
⸫ n(λ1 - λ2)= λ2
𝜆2
Therefore, n = (𝜆
1 −𝜆2 )
Substituting n in equation 1
𝜆2
𝐷𝑛2 = 4 (𝜆 λ1 R
1 −𝜆2 )
𝐷𝑛2 𝜆2
Therefore, = (𝜆 λ1 R
4 1 −𝜆2 )
Radius is diameter /2
𝜆2
Therefore 𝑟𝑛2 = (𝜆 λ1 R
1 −𝜆2 )
𝜆 𝜆2
So, rn = √(𝜆 1 R
1 −𝜆2 )
12. We wish to coat a flat slab of glass with refractive index 1.5 with a thinnest
possible film of a transparent material so that light of wavelength 600nm
incident normally is not reflected. We have two materials to choose from
M1(μ=1.21) and M2 (μ=1.6). Which one would be appropriate? What will be the
smallest thickness of coating?
Given: μg = 1.5
λ= 600nm ==600 x10-9 m
Solution:
For a film to act as an antireflecting film, μf =√𝜇𝑔
μf =√1.5 = 1.22
Out of the material given, M1 material has refractive index 1.21that is less than
the given glass slab. So M1 is appropriate to choose as AR film.
𝜆
We know, tmin =
4𝜇𝑓
600 𝑥 10−9
, tmin =
4𝑥 1.21
tmin = 1.239 x 10-7 m.
14.In costume jewellery, rhinestone (made of glass with μ =1.5) are often
coated with silicon monoxide (μ = 2) to make them more reflective. How
thick should be the coating to achieve strong reflection for 560 nm light
incident normally?
Given: μr = 1.5
μs = 2
λ= 560 nm = 560 x 10-9 m
For strong reflection,Δ =nλ
The phase reversal occurs at only one point B, so considering ±λ/2 .
𝜆
2μtcosr± = nλ
2
𝜆
2μs t = (2n± 1)
2
t= tmin for n=0
𝜆
therefore, tmin =
4𝜇𝑠
560 𝑥10−9
tmin = = 70 nm
4𝑥2
15.A thin transparent film of MgF2 (μf =1.38) is to be coated on a glass
microscope lens (μg = 1.5) to increase the transmission of the normally
incident light of wavelength 5893 A°. What minimum thickness should
be deposited on the lens surface?
Given: μg = 1.5
μf =1.38
λ=5893 A°
μa=1
μf =1.38
μg = 1.5
2μftcosr ± λ/2± λ/2 = (2n±1)λ/2
Since reflection at B and C occurs at the surface of denser
medium
2μftcosr ± λ= (2n±1)λ/2
For normal incidence cos r =1 and let t= tmin for n=0
⸫ 2μftmin = λ/2
tmin = λ /4μf
5890 𝐴𝑈
tmin = 4𝑥1.38
tmin = 1067 AU
16. A drop of oil of refractive index 1.20 floats on water
surface (μ= 1.33) and is observed from above by
reflected light. The thickness of oil drop at the edge is
very small almost zero and gradually increase towards
the middle of the drop. Answer the following:
(i) Will the thinnest outer region of drop correspond to a bright or dark
region?
(ii) What will be the thickness of the oil drop where wavelength of 4800
AU is intensified in reflected light for third order?
(iii) Why do colours gradually disappear at the middle?
Solution:
Answer (i) The thinnest region of the drop corresponds to bright. Because both
the reflected rays one from boundary between air and oil and another from
boundary between oil and water are in phase.
𝜆 𝜆
Δ = 2μtcosr± ±
2 2
Therefore, Δ = 2μtcosr±𝜆
At the edge thickness is zero. so, Δ =λ which is condition for brightness.
Answer (ii) 2μtcosr = nλ
t= nλ / 2μ
t= 6000AU
Answer(iii) At the middle of the dome the thickness increases and separation
between set of reflected rays increases and so colours disappear.
17.White light is incident at an angle of 45° on a soap film of thickness
4x10-5 cm. Find the wavelength of light in the visible spectrum which will
be absent in the reflected light. The refractive index is 1.2.
Given: i= 45°
t= 4x10-5 cm
μ=1.2
To find: wavelength λ
Formula: 2μtcosr = nλ
sin 𝑖
Solution: μ =
sin 𝑟
sin 45
μ=
sin 𝑟
⸫Cos r = 0.8079
Substituting n= 1, corresponding wavelength λ=2x1.2x4x10-5x 0.809 =7755A°
Substituting n= 2, corresponding wavelength λ=2x1.2x4x10-5x 0.809 / 2
=3877A°
So the wavelength corresponding to 7755 AU that lies in the visible region will
remain absent.
18.A plane wave of monochromatic light falls normally on a uniformly thin
film of oil which covers a glass plate. The wavelength of the source can
be varied continuously. Complete destructive interference of reflected
light is observed for 7000 AU and 5000AU and for no other wavelength
in between. Find the thickness of oil layer. Given Refractive index of oil
and glass is 1.3 and 1.5 respectively.
Solution:
μa =1
μf =1.3
μg= 1.5
2μftcosr ± λ/2± λ/2 = (2n±1)λ/2
Since reflection at B and C occurs at the surface of denser medium
2μft cosr ± λ= (2n±1)λ/2
2μft cosr = (2n±1)𝜆 /2
Let n corresponds to λ1 i,e. 7000AU
Let (n+1) corresponds to λ2 i,e. 5000AU
2μft cosr = (2n-1) 7000/2---------------------------------------(1)
2μft cosr = [2(n+1)-1] 5000/2---------------------------------------(2)
= (2n+2-1) 5000/2
2μft cosr =(2n+1) 5000/2 ----------------------------------------------(3)
Equating equation 1 and 3
7000 5000
(2n-1) =(2n+1)
2 2
(2n-1)7 = (2n+1)5
14n-7 =10n+5
4n=12
Therefore, n=3
Substituting n=3 in equation (1)
2μft cosr = (2x3-1) 7000/2
Cosr = 1 for normal incidence
2μft = 5x7000/2
t= 17500/ 2x1.3
thickness = 6730 AU
