WAVE NATURE OF LIGHT : DIFFRACTION & POLARISATION

Total No.of questions in Diffraction & Polarisation of Light are -

In Chapter Examples.............................................................. 03
Solved Examples ................................................................... 12

Total No. of questions .......................................................... 15

1. DIFFRACTION (c) Appearance of a shining circle around the
section of sun just before sun rise.
1.1 Meaning of Diffraction (d) Colored spectrum is observed if a light source
It is the spreading of waves round the corners at far distant is seen through a thin cloth
of an obstacle, of the order of wave length.
1.6 Two type of diffraction
1.2 Defination of Diffraction
Fresnel Diffraction : Fresenel diffraction
The phenomenon of bending of light waves which inv olv es non-plane (spherical)
around the sharp edges of opaque obstacles wavefronts, so that the source s and the point
or aperture and their encroachment in the p (where diffraction effect is to be observed )
geometrical shadow of obstacle or aperture are to be at a finite distance from the
is defined as diffraction of light. diffracting obstacle
1.3 Necessary Conditions of Diffraction of Fraunhofer Diffraction: Fraunhof er
Waves diffraction deals with wavefronts that are plane
The size of the obstacle (a) must be of the on arrival and an effective viewing distance of
order of the wavelength of the waves (). infinity. If follows that fraunhofer diffraction is
a an important special case of f resnel
 1 diffraction. In youngs double slit experiment,

we assume the screen to be relatively distant,
Note:
that we have fraunhofer conditions.
Greater the wave length of wave higher will
1.7 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INTERFERENCE &
be its degree of diffraction. This is the reason
DIFFRACTION OF LIGHT
that diffraction of sound & radio waves is
easily observed but for diffraction of light, S.No. Interference Diffraction
additional arrangement have to be arrange. Two coherent sources One coherent source
1.
sound > light are necessary is necessary
Wave length of sound is nearly equal to size
of obstacle. If size of obstactle is a & 2. All fringes has same Fringes has unequal
wavelength is  then, width width

S.No. a V/S  Diffraction 3. Width of bright fringes Width of bright

is equal to other fringes is just doubled
(1) a <<  Not possible
fringes to other fringe
(2) a >>  Not possible
(3) a  Possible 4. Intensity of dark fringe Intensity of dark
is zero fringe is not zero
1.4 Interpretation of Diffraction
As a result of diffraction, maxima & minima 5. All bright fringes has As order of bright
of light intensities are found which has equal intensity f ringes increases,
unequal intensities. Diffraction is the result intensity goes down
of superposing of waves from infinite number 6. For bright fringe : For bright fringe :
of coherent sources on the same wavefront (a) Path difference D = (2n – 1)/2
after the wavefront has been distorted by the  = n
obstacle. (b) Phase difference  = (2n – 1) 
 = 2n
1.5. Example of Diffraction
(a) When an intense source of light is viewed 7. For dark fringes : For dark fringes :
with the paritally opened eye, colours are (a) Path difference D = 2n/2
observed in the light. D = (2n – 1)/2
(b) Sound produced in one room can be heard (b) Phase difference d = 2n
in the nearby room. d = (2n – 1)
1.8 RESOLVING POWER (R.P) (1) For Diffraction Maxima :
a sin  = (2n – 1) /2
A large number of images are formed as a
(2) For Diffraction Minima :
consequence of light diffraction from a source.
a sin  = n
If two sources are separated such that their
central maxima do not overlap, their images (3) The maxima or minima is observed due to the
superposition of waves emerging from infinite
can be distinguished and are said to be
secondary sources between A & B points of
resolved R.P. of an optical instrument is its
slit.
ability to distinguish two neighbouring points.
(4) Fringe width :
Linear R.P. = d/D
The distance between two secondary minima
Angular R.P. = d/ formed on two sides of central maximum is
D = Observed distance known as the width of central maximum
d = Distance between two points
Telescope :
1.22 
Limit of resolution =  = sin–1 ;
a
1.22 
For small angles  =
a
1
Resolving power =
lim it of resolution
Microscope :
Limit of resolution (the smallest distance 2f
1.22  W =
between two object) = xmin = 2  sin  a
f = focal distance of convex lense
Prism : a = width of slit
R.P. = t (d/d) = /d 2
Eye : Angular width = W  =
a
The limit of resolution of human eye is 1' of
arc (One minte of arc) Examples Fraunhofer diffraction for
1.9 FRAUNHOFER DIFFRACTION FOR SINGLE
based on single slit
SLIT
Ex.1 When wave of wavelength 0.2 cm is made
In this diffraction pattern central maxima is inciddent normally on a slit of width 0.004m,
bright on the both side of it, maxima & then the semi-angular width of central
minima occurs symmetrically maximum of diffraction pattern will be-
(1) 600 (2) 300 (3) 900 (4) 00

 
Sol.  = sin–1   .....(1)
 a
According to question
 = 2 × 10–3 m
a = 4 × 10–3 m .....(2)
From equation (1) and (2)

 1
 = sin-1  
 2
 = 300, Hence correct answer is (B)
Ex.2 A parallel beam of monochromatic light is 1.10 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRESNEL &
incident on a narrow rectangular slit of width FRAUNHOFFER DIFFRACTION
1mm. When the diffraction pattern is seen Fresnel Fraunhoffer
on a screen placed at a distance of 2m. the
1. The source is near Source & screen are
width of principal maxima is found to be 1.5
and on one side of both effectively at
mm. The wave length of light is-
obstacle and screen infinite distances
(1) 6250A0 (2) 6200 A0 also near to obstacle from obstacle
(3) 5890 A0 (4) 6000 A0
and on the other side.
Sol. Here the width of principal maxima is 2.5 2. Wavefront : spherical Plane wavefront is
mm, therefore its half width is cylindrical is used. used.

 3. No sophisticated Spectrometer is
2 .5
= = 1.25 × 10–3m equipment is required.
2 2
required.
/2 12.5  10 3
Diffraction angle  = =
D 2 4. No lense is Conv ex lense is
required. required.
a =  5. Diffraction pattern Only bright central
may have both bright fringe is possible.
12.5  10 3
 = /a =
2 & dark central fringe.
6. Example : Circular Single slit, double
12.5  10 3 12.5  10 3  10 3
 = × a = aperture, disc, ring slit, grating etc.
2 2
etc.
 = 6.26 × 10–7 m = 6250 A0 ,
Hence correct answer is (A) 1.11 COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DIFFRACTION
OF LIGHT & SOUND
Ex.3 Light of wavelength 6328A 0 is incident
normally on slit having a width of 0.2 mm. (1) Sound travels in form of waves, that's why it
The width of the central maximum measured is also diffracted. Generally diffraction of
from minimum to minimum of diffraction sound waves is easily observed rather than
pattern on a screen 9.0 meters away will be light because wavelength of sound waves is
about - the order of obstacle but wavelength of light
is very small in comparison to obstacle.
(1) 0.360 (2) 0.180
(2) (a) Ordinary audible sound has wavelength
(3) 0.720 (4) 0.090 of the order of 1m & size of ordinary obstacle
has same order that's why diffraction is
Sol. slit width = a = 0.2mm,
easily observed.
2d (b) Ordinary light has wavelength of 10-7 m
 =
a & ordinary obstacle has greater size in
comparison to its wavelength that's why
 2 diffraction pattern is not observed.
Angular width W = =
D a
(3) Generally diffraction of ultrasonic waves are
2  6328 not observed because its wavelength has
 = = 0.360 ,
0. 2 order of 1 cm.
Hence correct answer is (A)
1.12 RECTLINEAR MOTION OF LIGHT 2.2 Plane polarised light
(1) Rectlinear motion of light can be explained (a) If somehow we confine the vibrations of
by diffraction of light. electric v ector in one direction
(2) If size of obstacle is the order of wavelength perpendicular to the direction of wave
of light, then diffraction of light takes place & motion, the light is said to be plane
its rectlinear motion of light is not possible. polarised and the plane containing the
(3) If size of obstacle is much greater than wave direction of vibration and wave motion is
length of light, then rectlinear motion of light called plane of polarisation.
is observed. (b) If an unpolarised light is converted into
1.13 POINTS TO REMEMBER plane polarised light, its intensity reduces
(1) Greymaldy discovered the diffraction. to half.
(2) Intensity of diffraction pattern decreases, if (c) Polarisation is a convincing proof of wave
size of obstacle is increased. nature of light.
(3) Superposition of waves causes both diffraction 2.3 Partially polarised light
& Interference. Superposition of secondary
If in case of unpolarised light, electric vector
waves originated from two coherent sources
generates interference. Superposition of in some plane is either more or less; then in
secondary wavelets generated from same its perpendicular plane, the light is said to
wavefront, is called diffraction. be partially polarised.
(4) Interference fringes has equal width but 2.4 Methods of polarisation
diffraction fringes has unequal width.
(a) By Reflection : Brewster discovered that
(5) In diffraction pattern, intensity of bright fringes
when light is incident at a particular angle
is different but for interference , it is equal.
on a transparent substance, the reflected
(6) Intensities of dark fringes of interference is
light is completely plane polarised with
zero but for diffraction, it is not equal to zero.
vibrations in a plane perpendicular to the
(7) Effect of diffraction can be observed in only
plane of incidence. This specific angle of
geometrical shadow of end region.
incidence is called polarising angle P
(8) In diffraction bright central fringe has double
and is related to the refractive index  of
width, in comparison to others.
the material through the relation :
(9) In fresenel diffraction nor wavefront is plane,
neither rays are parrallel. tan p =  ....(1)
UPL PPL
2. POLARISATION
2.1 Unpolarised light I = p r
(a) An ordinary beam of light consists of a
large number of waves emitted by the
atoms or molecules of the light source.
Each atom produces a wave with its own

orientation of electric vector E . However,,
because of all directions are equally PL
probable the resulting electromagnetic
Partially
wave is a superposition of wav es
produced by individual atomic sources. This is known as Brewster's law.
This wave is called unpolarised light. In case of polarisation by reflection :
(b) All the vibrations of an unpolarised light (1) For I = p , refracted light is plane
at a given instant can be resolved in two polarised.
mutually perpendicular directions and (2) For I = p, reflected and refracted rays
hence an unpolarised light is equivalent are perpendicular to each other.
to superposition of two mutually
perpendicular identical plane polarised (3) For  < or > p, both reflected and
light. refracted light become partially polarised.
 (b) By Refraction : In this method, a pile of z
glass plates is formed by taking 20 to 30
microscope slides and light is made to
be incident at polarising angle. Since, in
one reflection about 15 % of the light

A cos
with vibration perpendicular to plane of
paper is reflected, therefore after passing 
through a number of plates as shown in
fig. emerging light will become plane y
polarised with vibrations in the plane of A sin 
paper.
Reflected light

I = K(A cos )2 = KA2 cos2

or I = I0 cos2 [as I0 = KA2] ....(2)
Refracted light This law is called Malus law. From this it is
57º clear that :
(1) If the incident light is unpolarised, then as
vibrations are equally probable in all directions
(in a plane perpendicular to the direction of
57º wave-motion), can have any value from 0 to
(c) By Dichroism : Some crystals such as 1
2 and (cos2)av = .
tourmaline and sheets of iodosulphate of 2
quinone have the property of strongly 1
absorbing the light with v ibrations I = I
2 0
perpendicular to a specific direction (called i.e., If an unpolarised light is converted into
transmission axis) transmitting the light with plane polarised light its intensity becomes
vibrations parallel to it. This selective half.
absorption of light is called dichroism. So if (2) If light of intensity I1 emerging from one
unpolarised light passes through proper polaroid called polariser is incident on a
thickness of these, the transmitted light will second polariod (usually called analyser) the
be plane polarised with vibrations parallel to intensity of the light emerging from the second
transmission axis. Polariods work on this polaroid in accordance with Malus law will be
principle. given by
I2 = I1 cos2
where ' is the angl e between the
transmission axis of the two polariods.

Transmission axis
Optic axis is perpendicular
to the plane of paper Parallel polaroids Crossed polaroids
Tourmaline crystal Polaroid So if the two polaroids have their transmission
(A) (B) axes parallel to each other, i.e.,  = 0º,
I2 = I1 cos20º = I1
2.5 Intensity of Light Emerging from a
and if the two polaroids are crossed, i.e.,
Polariod
have their transmission axes perpendicular
If plane polarised light of intensity I0(= KA2)
to each other,  = 90º.
is incident on a polariod and its vibrations of
amplitude A make an angle  wi th I2 = I1 cos2 90º = 0
transmission axis, as polariod will pass only So, if an analyser is rotated from 0º to 90º
those vibrations which are parallel to its with respect to polariser, the intensity of
transmission axis, i.e., A cos , so the emergent light changes from maximum value
intensity of emergent light will be I1 to minimum value zero.
 SOLVED EXAMPLES
Ex.1 The first diffraction minima due to a single Ex. 3 Width of slit is 0.3mm. Fraunhoffer diffraction
slit diffraction is at  = 300 for a light of is observed at 1 m focal length in focus
wavelength 5000A0. The width of the slit is- planed lense. If third minima is at 5 mm
(A) 5 × 10–5 cm (B) 1.0 × 10–4 cm distance f rom central maxima, then
(C) 2.5 × 10–5 cm (D) 1.25 × 10–5 cm wavelenght of light is-
Sol. The distance of first diffraction minimum from (A) 7000Aº (B) 6500Aº
the central principal maximum x = D/d (C) 6000Aº (D) 5000Aº
x 
 sin  = = ax
D d Sol. = n
f

 d = ax
sin   =
f
5000  10 8
 d = = 2 × 5 × 10–5
sin 30º 0.3  10 3  5  10 3
 d = 1.0 × 10–4 cm ,  =
3 1
Hence correct answer is (B)
 = 5 × 10–7 m
Ex.2 Two spectral line of sodium D1 & D2 have  = 5000A0., Hence correct answer is (D)
wavelengths of approximately 5890A0 and
5896A0. A sodium lamp sends incident plane Ex.4 A screen is placed 2m away from the single
wave on to a slit of width 2 micrometre. A narrow slit. Calculate the slit width if the first
screen is located 2m from the slit. Find the minimum lies 5mm on either side of the
spacing between the first maxima of two central maximum. Incident plane waves have
sodium lines as measured on the screen. a wavelenght of 5000A0.
(A) 2 × 10–4 m (B) 2 × 10–3 cm
(A) 10–4 m (B) 9 × 10–4 m
(C) 2 × 10–4 m (D) None
(C) 9 × 104 m (D) None
Sol. Here distance of the screen from the slit,
Sol. Here, 1 = 5890A0 = 5890 × 10–10 m
   2 = 5896 A0 = 5896 × 10–10 m D = 2m, a = ?, x = 5 mm
= 5× 10–3 m,  = 5000A0
a =2m = 2 × 10–6 m, D = 2m
= 5000 × 10–10 m
for first maxima,
for the first minima,
3 1 x1
sin  = = sin  = /a = x/D,
2a D
3 1D 2  5000  10 10
 x1 = a = D/x = = 2 × 10–4 m.
2a 5  10 3
, Hence correct answer is (A)
3 2 D
And x2 = Ex.5 Red light of wavelength 6500A0 from a distant
2a
 spacing between the first maxima of two source falls on a slit 0.5 mm wide. What is
3D the distance between two dark bands on each
sodium lines = x2 – x1 = ( – 1) side of central bright band of diffraction pattern
2a 2
observed on a screen placed 1.8 m from the
3  2(5896  5890 )  10 10 slit.
=
2  2  10 6 (A) 4.68 × 10–3 cm (B) 4.68 × 10–3 mm
= 9 × 10–4 m, Hence correct answer is (B)
(C) 4.68 × 10–3 nm (D) 4.68 × 10–3 m
Sol. Here,  6500A0 = 6.5 × 10–7 m, Ex.8 What should be the size of the aperture of
a = 0.5 mm = 5 × 10–4 m, the objective of telescope which can just
D = 1.8 m resolve the two stars of angular width of 10–
3 degree by light of wavelength 5000A0 ?
Angular separation of two dark bands on each
side of central bright band 2 = 2/a (A) 3.5 cm (B) 3.5 mm
Actual distance between them, (C) 3.5 m (D) 3.5 km
2x = 2/a x D
1.22 1.22
2  6.5  10 7  18 Sol. d = or a =
a d
2x =
5  10  4 According to question
2x = 4.68 × 10–3 m ,
Hence correct answer is (D) 10 3  
d = 10–3 degree = Radian,
180
Ex.6 Fraunhoffer diffraction pattern is observed at
 – 5 × 10–5
a distance of 2m on screen, when a plane-
wav ef ront of 6000A 0 is incident 1.22  5  10 5  180
perpendicularly on 0.2 mm wide slit.Width of a =
10 3  3.14
central maxima is:
a = 3.5 cm
(A) 10 mm (B) 6mm
Hence the correct answer will be (A)
(C) 12 mm (D) None of these
Ex.9 Image of sun formed due to reflection at air
2 f
Sol. Width of central maxima = water interface is found to be very highly
a polarised. Refractive index of water being
 = 4/3, find the angle of sun above the
2  2  6000  10 10 horizon.
= = 12 mm ,
0.2  10 3 Sol. Since the reflected light is very highly
Hence correct answer is (C) polarised, it implies that incident light falls at
Ex.7 A diffraction pattern is produced by a single polarising angle of incidence  P. From
slit of width 0.5mm with the help of a convex Brewster's law,
lens of focal length 40cm. If the wave length  = tanp
of light used is 5896A0. then the distance of  P = tan–1 () = tan–1 (4/3) = 53.1º
first dark fringe from the axis will be-
Since P is the angle which the rays from
(A) 0.047 cm (B) 0.047 m
sun make with the normal to the
(C) 0.047 mm (d) 47 cm
interface, angle with the interface will be
 90º – 53.1º = 36.9º.
Sol. = .....(A)
a
Ex.10 When light of a certain wavelength is incident
x
= .....(B) on a plane surface of a material at a glancing
f
angle 30º, the reflected light is found to be
From eqs. (A) and (B)
completely plane polarised. Determine
 x (a) refractive index of given material and (b)
=
a f angle of refraction.
f Sol. Angle of incident light with the surface is
x = .....(C)
a 30º. Hence angle of incidence = 90º – 30º
According to question x = ?, f = 40 cm = 60º. Since reflected light is completely
 = 5896 × 10–8 cm polarised, therefore, incidence takes place at
a = 0.5 × 10–1 cm .....(D) polarising angle of incidence p.
From eqs. (C) and (D) (a)        p= 60º
40  5896  10 8 Using Brewster's law
x = 96        = tan p = tan 60º
5  10 2
= 0.047 cm , Hence correct answer is (A)    = 3
 (b) From Snell's law Sol. If  is the angle between the transmission
sin i axes of first polaroid P1 and second P2 while
 =  between the transmission axes of second
sin r
sin 60 º polaroids P2 and P3, then according to given
 3 = sin r problem,
 +  = 90º or  = (90º – ) ....(1)
3 1 1
or sin r = × = Now, if I0 is the intensity of unpolarised light
2 3 2
incident on polaroid P1, the intensity of light
r = 30º
transmitted through it,
Ex.11 Two polaroids as oriented with their planes
1 1 W
perpendicular to incident light and I1 = I0 = I0 = (32) = 16 2 ....(2)
2 2 m
transmission axis making an angle of 30º
Now as angle between transmission axes of
with each other. What fraction of incident
polaroids P1 and P2 is , in accordance with
unpolarised light is transmitted ?
Malus law, intensity of light transmitted
Sol. If unpolarised light is passed through a through P2 will be
polariod P1, its intensity will become half.
I2 = I1 cos2 = 16 cos2 [from Eq. (2)] ....(3)
1
So I1 = I with vibrations parallel to the And as angle between transmission axes of
2 0 P2 and P3 is , light transmitted through P3
axis of P1.
will be
Now this light will pass through second
I3 = I2cos2 = 16 cos2 cos2 [from Eq.(3)]
polaroid P2 whose axis is inclined at ana
angle of 30º to the axis of P1 and hence, Above equation in the light of (1) becomes,
vibrations of I1. So in accordance with Malus I3 = 16 cos2 cos2 (90º – )
law, the intensity of light emerging from P2 = 4(sin2)2 ....(4)
will be According to given problem, I3 = 3 W/m 2
2
1   3 3 So, 4(sin 2)2 = 3 i.e., sin2 = ( 3 /2)
I2 = I1 cos2 30º =   0   
2   2  = 8 I0
  or 2 = 60º i.e.  = 30º
2 3 Further in accordance with Eq. (4), I3 will be
= = 37.5 %
0 8 max. when sin 2 = max., i.e.,
Ex.12 Unpolarised light of intensity 32 Wm–2 passes sin 2 = 1 or 2 = 90º, i.e.,  = 45º
through three polarisers such that the
transmission axis of the last polariser is
crossed with the first. If the intensity of the
emerging light is 3 Wm –2, what is the angle
between the transmission axes of the first
two polarisers ? At what angle will the
transmitted intensity be maximum ?