UNIT 2-OPTICS B.TECH/MBATECH-SEMESTER 1-A.Y.

2022-23
Interference Numerical Solutions:

1. A parallel beam of light of wavelength 5890 Å is incident on a glass plate having refractive
index μ = 1.5 such that the angle of refraction in the plate is 600. Calculate the smallest
thickness of glass plate for which it will appear dark in reflected light.
Solution:

Given:
= 5890 Å = 5890 x 10−10 m
μ = 1.5
r= 600

To find: smallest thickness (t min )

Formula: 2μtcosr = nλ ……..(condition for dark fringes)

Calculation:

2μtcosr = nλ
nλ
t min =
2μcosr

1 x 5890 x 10−10
t min = ….(For n=1)
2 x 1.5 x cos 60 

t min = 3.92 x 10−7 m

t min = 0.3926 µm
Result: smallest thickness, tmin = 0.3926 µm, for n =1

2. White light falls normally on a soap film of 4 x 10(-7) m thickness. If the refractive index is
1.33 which wavelength is reflected strongly in the visible region?
Solution:

Given:

Thickness(t) = 4 x 10(-7) m
μ = 1.33
i= 0  , r = 0  ……..(since white light falls normally on soap film)

To find: ′λ′ that is reflected strongly in the visible region

Formula: Strong Reflection means condition for bright fringes,

Calculation:
λ
2μtcosr = (2n − 1)
2
 2 x 2μtcosr
λ= (2n−1)

For n=1,
2 x 2x 1.33x4 x 10−7 x cos(0 )
λ= (2(1)−1)
= 21280 Å

For n=2,
2 x 2x 1.33x4 x 10−7 xcos(0 )
λ= (2(2)−1)
= 7093 Å

For n=3,
2 x 2x 1.33x4 x 10−7 x cos(0 )
λ= (2(3)−1)
=4256 Å

Result: Wavelengths 7093 Å and 4256 Å fall in visible spectrum and are reflected strongly.

3. A 0.4 µm thick soap film is viewed at an angle of 450. If the refractive index of the soap film
is 1.33, calculate the wavelength of the light which will be absent from the reflected light in
the visible spectrum.
Solution:
Given:
Thickness(t)= 0.4 µm = 0.4 x 10−6 m
Incident Angle (i) = 450
μ = 1.33

To find: wavelength (λ) which will be absent

Formula:
sin i
μ= sin r
…….(From Snell’s Law)

2μtcosr = nλ ……(condition for dark fringes)

Calculation:
sin i
μ= sin r
sin i
sin r = μ

sin 450
sin r = 1.33

r = sin−1 (0.53)

r = 320

The absence of certain wavelengths in reflected light is due to destructive interference. The
condition for destructive interference is,

2μtcosr = nλ …………(Equation 1)
To find out the missing wavelength, we have to use different ‘n’ values into (Equation 1) and find out
which of them lie in the visible region (4000 Å - 7000 Å)

For n=1,
2μtcosr 2x 1.33x 0.4 x 10−6 x cos320
λ1 = = = 9023 Å
n 1

For n=2,
2 x 1.33 x 0.4 x 10−6 x cos320
λ2 = 2
= 4511 Å

For n=3,
2 x 1.33 x 0.4 x 10−6 x cos320
λ3 = 3
=3007 Å

For n=4,
2 x 1.33 x 0.4 x 10−6 x cos320
λ4 = 4
=2255 Å

Result: wavelength of the light which will be absent from the reflected light in the visible
spectrum is 𝛌𝟐 = 4511 Å

4. The refractive index of a thin soap film is 1.33 and it is illuminated by white light. In the
reflected pattern, two consecutive dark fringes of wavelengths 550nm and 540 nm are found
overlapping. Calculate the thickness of the film if the angle of incidence is 450.
Solution:
Given:
μ = 1.33
i = 450
λ1 = 550nm = 550 x 10−9 m
λ2 = 540nm = 540x10−9 m

To find: thickness of film (t)

Formula:
sin i
• μ= sin r
……..(from Snell’s Law)
• 2μtcosr = nλ ……(condition for dark fringes)

Calculation:
sin i
sin r = μ

sin 450
sin r = 1.33
= 0.531

r = sin−1 (0.531)

r = 320

For nth dark fringe of λ1

2μtcosr = nλ1 …………(Equation 1)

2μtcosr = (n + 1)λ2 …………(Equation 2)

As nth dark fringe of λ1 and (n + 1)𝑡ℎ dark fringe of λ2 coincide,

nλ1 = (n + 1)λ2
nλ1 = nλ2 + λ2
λ2 540x10−9
n=λ = (550 x 10−9 )−(540x10−9 ) =54
1 −λ2

substitute n= 54 in (Equation 1) we get,

t= 1.31x10−5m

Result: Thickness of the soap film is t= 1.31x𝟏𝟎−𝟓 m

5. A drop of liquid of volume 0.2 cc is dropped on a surface of a tank of water of area 1 sq. meter.
The film spreads uniformly over the whole surface and white light which is incident normally,
is observed through a spectrometer. The spectrum is seen to contain one dark band whose
centre has wavelength 5.5 x 10-5 cm in air. Find the refractive index of oil.
Solution:
Given:
volume = 0.2 cubic.cm
area = 1 sq. meter = 1x104 sq.cm
λ =5.5 x 10-5 cm
r = 0 …..(white light is incident normally)

To find: Refractive index of oil (μ)

Formula:
• Thickness of film = volume/area
• 2μtcosr = nλ ……(condition for dark fringes)

Calculation:

Thickness of film = volume/area

Thickness of film(t) = 0.2 /(1x104 )

t = 2x10−5 cm
Now,
2μtcosr = nλ
nλ
μ = 2tcosr

1x 5.5 x 10−5
μ = 2x 2x 10−5 x cos 00
μ = 1.375

Result: Refractive index of oil is 𝛍 = 1.375

6. Fringes of equal thickness are observed in a thin glass of refractive index 1.52. The fringe
spacing is 0.1 mm, wavelength of light being used is 5893 Å. Calculate the wedge angle.
Solution:
Given:
μ = 1.52
Fringe spacing ()= 0.1 mm = 0.1x10−3 m
λ = 5893 Å= 5893x10−10 m

To find: wedge angle ()

Formula:
λ
• β=
2μθ
λ
θ = 2μβ

Calculation:
λ
θ= 2μβ

5893x10−10
θ=
2x 1.52x 0.1x10−3

θ = 0.001938 Radians
180
θ = 0.001938 x degrees


θ = 0.111 degrees
Result: The wedge angle is 𝛉 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟏𝟗𝟑𝟖 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝐝𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬

7. Light beam of wavelength 6000 Å falls normally on a thin wedge-shaped film of refractive
index 1.4, forming fringes that are 2 mm apart. Find the angle of the wedge.

Solution:
Given:
λ = 6000 Å= 6000x10−10 m
μ = 1.52
Fringe spacing ()= 2 mm = 2x10−3 m

To find: wedge angle ()

Formula:
λ
β= 2μθ
 λ
θ = 2μβ

Calculation:
λ
θ= 2μβ

6000x10−10
θ= 2x1.52x 2x10−3

θ = 0.986 x10−4 radians

Result: Angle of the wedge is 𝛉 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟖𝟔 𝐱𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬

8. In Newton’s ring arrangement, if a drop of water having refractive index 1.33 is placed between
the lens and the plate, the diameter of the 10th ring is found to be 6 x 10-3m. Obtain the radius of
curvature of the face of lens in contact with the plate. The wavelength of light used is 600 nm.
Solution:
Given:
μ = 1.33
D10 = 6x10−3 m
λ = 600nm= 600x10−9 m

To find: radius of curvature (R)

Formula:
4nλR
D2n = μ

μD2n
R = 4nλ

Calculation:
μD2n
R= 4nλ
2
1.33x(6x10−3 )
R= 4x10x600x10−9
…………(n=10)

R= 1.99 m

Result: Radius of curvature of the face of lens in contact with the plate is R= 1.99 m

9. Newton’s rings are formed by light reflected normally from convex lens of radius of curvature
of 90 cm and a glass plate with liquid in between them. The diameter of n th 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.
Given λ = 6000 Å.

Solution:
Given:
radius of curvature (R)=90cm=90x10−2m
Dn = 2.25mm = 2.25x10−3 m
Dn+9 = 4.5mm = 4.5x10−3m
λ = 6000 Å=6000x10−10m

To find: refractive index (μ)

4mλR
Calculation: μ = D2n+9 −D2n

4x9x6000x10−10 x 90x 10−2

Result: Refractive index of liquid µ = 1.28

10. A Newton’s ring arrangement is used with a source emitting two wavelengths 𝛌𝟏 = 6 x 10-5
cm and 4.5 x 10-5 cm and it is found that the nth dark ring due to 𝛌𝟏 coincides with (n + 1)th
dark ring for 𝛌𝟐. If the radius of curvature of the curved surface is 90 cm, find the diameter
of nth dark ring.
Solution:
Given:
radius of curvature(R)=90cm
λ1 = 6 x 10-5 cm
λ2 =4.5 x 10-5 cm

To find: diameter of nth dark ring (Dn )

Formula: Dn2 = 4nR λ

Calculation:

Condition for dark rings:

2μt = n1 λ1 …………(1)

2μt = n2 λ2 … … … (2)

n1 λ1= n2 λ2

n x 6 x 10-5 = (n + 1) x 4.5 x 10-5

n=3

D2n = 4nR λ

Dn = √4nR λ

Dn = √4x3x90x10−2 x 6 x 10−5
Dn = 0.254cm
Result: The diameter of nth dark ring is 𝐃𝐧 = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓𝟒𝐜𝐦
11. A glass microscope lens (µ=1.5) is coated with magnesium fluoride (µf = 1.38) film to increase
the transmission of normally incident light λ = 5800 Å. What minimum film thickness should
be deposited on the lens?
Solution:
Given:
µ=1.5
µf = 1.38
λ = 5800 Å=5800x10−10m

To find: minimum film thickness (t min )

Calculation:
λ
t min = 4μf

5800x10−10
t min = 4x 1.38
= 1051 Å

Result: Minimum film thickness that should be deposited on the lens 𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐧= 1051 Å

12. Can a thin film of water (µf = 1.33) formed on glass window pane (µg = 1.52) act as a non-
reflecting film? If so, how thick should be the water film?

Solution:
Given:
µf = 1.33
µg = 1.52

Formula:

• µf = √µg
λ
• t min = 4μf

Calculation:

A film of refractive index µf can act as antireflecting film on a substrate having refractive index µg , if
µf = √µg

Here, √µg = √1.52 = 1.23

As the refractive index of water is 1.33, it is nearer to √µ𝐠 , it can act as Antireflecting Film on
glass.

The minimum thickness of the film is given by,

As human eye is more sensitive to green, it may be assumed that λ = 5500 Å,

Result: (1) As the refractive index of water is 1.33, it is nearer to √µ𝐠 , so it can act as
Antireflecting Film on glass.

(2) 𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐧 = 1034 Å