KVS ZIET BHUBANESWAR

CBTI XII PHY CH_10_WAVE OPTICS

Q. NO QUESTION
MCQ s 1 MARK EACH
1. You pass 633-nm laser light through a narrow slit and observe the diffraction pattern on a
screen 6.0 m away. The distance on the screen between the centers of the first minima on
either side of the central bright fringe is 32 mm. How wide is the slit?
(a) 2.4 mm
(b) 0.24 mm
(c) 24 nm
(d) 2.4 nm

2. In Young’s double slit experiment the correct curve between the fringe width β and distance
d between the slits is

3. A diffraction pattern is obtained by using beam of red light what will happen, if red light is
replaced by the blue light?
(a) Bands disappear.
(b) Bands become broader and farther apart.
(c) No change will take place.
(d) Diffraction bands become narrow and crowded together.
4. Radio waves diffract around buildings, although light waves do not. The reason is that radio
waves
(a) travel with speed larger than c
(b) have much larger wavelength than light
(c) are not electromagnetic waves
(d) none of these
5. For question number 5 & 6, two statements are given-one labelled Assertion (A) and the other
labelled Reason (R).
Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes (a), (b), (c) and (d) as given below.
 (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false and R is also false

Assertion (A): X-rays in vacuum travel faster than light waves in vacuum.
Reason (R): The energy of X-rays photons is less than that of light photons.
6. Assertion (A) : We cannot get a diffraction pattern from a wide slit illuminated by
monochromatic light.
Reason (R) : In diffraction pattern, all the bright
bands are not of the same intensity.
7. Welders wear special goggles or face masks with glass windows to protect their eyes from
electromagnetic radiations. Name the radiations and write the range of their frequency.
8. Consider the following statements in case of Young’s double slit experiment.
(1) A slit S is necessary if we use an ordinary
extended source of light.
(2) A slit S is not needed if we use an ordinary
but well collimated beam of light.
(3) A slit S is not needed if we use a spatially
coherent source of light.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) (1), (2) and (3) (b) (1) and (2) only
(c) (2) and (3) only (d) (1) and (3) only
9. Why is the diffraction of sound waves more
evident in daily experience than that of light
wave?
10. If one of the slits in Young’s double slit experiment is fully closed, the new pattern has ______
central maximum in angular size.
11. Newton believed light to consists of
(a) air particles (b) ether particles
(c) dust particle (d) corpuscles

12. 2. The ratio of the intensities of two light waves is given by 9:1. The ratio of the amplitudes of
the waves is
(a)3:1 (b) 1:3 (c) 9:1 (d) 1:9
13. In Young's double slit experiment, the separation between the slits is 0.1 mm, the wavelength
of light used is 600 nm and the interference pattern is observed on a screen 1m away. Find
the separation between bright fringes.
(a) 6.6 (b)6.0 mm (c)6 m (d)60 cm

14. 4. Bending of Light phenomena is shown by

(a)Polarization (b)Diffraction (c)Interference(d)Dispersion

15. In the Young double slit experiment, the fringe pattern as seen on the screen is:
A) Parabola (b)Hyperbola (c)Ellipse (d)Spiral
16. The light sources used in Young’s double slit experiment are
(a)Incoherent (b)Coherent (c)White light (d)Blue-green-red Light.

17. What is the effect on the angular width of interference fringes in a Young’s double slit
experiment when the screen moves near to the plane of slits?
(a)increases (B) decreases
(c)constant (d)not defined

18. The phase difference between two waves at the point of constructive interference is given as
a multiple of:
a) multiple of π (b)multiple of(2n-1)π
(c)even multiple of π(d)odd multiple ofπ

19. The questions given below consist of an assertion and the reason. Use the following key to
choose appropriate
answer:
(a) If both assertion and reason are correct and reason is a
correct explanation of the assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are correct but reason is not
the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) If the assertion is correct but the reason is incorrect.
(d) If the assertion is incorrect but the reason is correct.
(e) If both assertion and reason are incorrect.

Assertion: When two light sources are placed near to each other, energy is distributed non-
uniformly around them.
Reason: Light waves from two sources interfere each other
and redistribution of energy takes place due to
phenomenon of interference
20. Assertion: Diffraction takes place for all types of waves transverse or longitudinal.
Reason: Diffraction effect is perceptible only if wavelength of wave is comparable to
dimensions of diffracting device.
21. Fig. Shows a standard two slits arrangement with slits S1,S2,P1,P2 arethe two minima points on
either side of P.
 At P2 on the screen,there is a hole and behind P2IS A second 2-slit arrangement with slits S3,S4 AND
A second screen behind them
a) There would be no interference pattern on the second screen but it would be lighted
b) THE second screen would be totally dark
c) THERE WOULD BE A SINGLE BRIGHT POINT ON THE SECOND SCREEN
d) There would be a regular slit pattern
22. TWO WAVES having intensities in the ratio of 9:1 produce interference. The ratio of maximum to
minimum intensities is
a) 10:8
b) 9:1
c) 4:1
d) 2:1
23. Consider diffraction pattern for a small pinhole . As the size of the hole increased,the size of the
diffraction
a) Decreases
b) The intensities increases
c) Increases
d) The intensities decreases
24. How does the fringe with of interference fringes change ,when the whole apparatus of Young’s
experiment is kept in water . ( refractive index 4/3)
25. Assertion : According to Huygen’s principle, no backward wave-front is possible.
Reason : Amplitude of secondary wavelet is proportional to (1 + cos θ) where θ is the angle
between the ray at the point of consideration and the direction of secondary wavelet.
a) If both Assertion and Reason are correct and the Reason is a correct explanation of the
Assertion.
 b) If both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not a correct explanation of the
Assertion.
c) If the Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.
d) If both the Assertion and Reason are incorrect.

26. Assertion :No interference pattern is detected when two coherent sources are infinitely close to
each other.
Reason : The fringe width is inversely proportional to the distance between the two sources.
a) If both Assertion and Reason are correct and the Reason is a correct explanation of the
Assertion.
b) If both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not a correct explanation of the
Assertion.
c) If the Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.
d) If both the Assertion and Reason are incorrect.

27. Assertion :In Young’s double slit experiment if the wavelength of incident monochromatic light is
just doubled, the number of bright fringes on the screen will increase.
Reason : Maximum number of bright fringe on the screen is inversely proportional to the
wavelength of light used.
a) If both Assertion and Reason are correct and the Reason is a correct explanation of the
Assertion.
b) If both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not a correct explanation of the
Assertion.
c) If the Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.
d) If both the Assertion and Reason are incorrect.

28. Assertion: When a light wave travels from rarer to denser medium, it loses speed. The reduction in
speed imply a reduction in energy carried by the light wave.
Reason: The energy of a wave is directly proportional to velocity of a wave.
a) Both Assertion and reason are true and reason is correct explanation of assertion.
b) Assertion and reason both are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
c) Assertion is true, reason is false.
 d) Assertion is false, reason is true.

29. Assertion. No interference pattern is detected when two coherent sources are infinitely close to
each other.
Reason. Fringe width is inversely proportional to separation between the slit.
a) If both Assertion and Reason are correct and the Reason is a correct explanation of the
Assertion.
b) If both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not a correct explanation of the
Assertion.
c) If the Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.
d) If both the Assertion and Reason are incorrect.

30. Assertion: Diffraction takes place for all types of waves mechanical or non-mechanical, transverse
or longitudinal.
Reason:Diffraction’s effect are perceptible only if wavelength of wave is comparable to dimensions
of diffracting device.
a) If both Assertion and Reason are correct and the Reason is a correct explanation of the
Assertion.
b) If both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not a correct explanation of the
Assertion.
c) If the Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.
d) If both the Assertion and Reason are incorrect.

31. A Young’s double slit experiment uses a monochromatic source of light. The shape of interference
fringes formed on the screen is
(a) parabola
(b) straight line
(c) circle
(d) hyperbola

32. The colours seen in the reflected white light from a thin oil film are due to
(a) Diffraction
(b) Interference
(c) Polarisation
(d) Dispersion

33. Two slits in young’s double slit experiment have widths in the ratio 81 ∶ 1. The ratio of the
amplitudes of light waves is
(a) 3 : 1
(b) 3 : 2
 (c) 9 : 1
(d) 6 : 1

34. In Young’s double slit experiment, the minimum amplitude is obtained when the phase difference of
super-imposing waves is (where n = 1, 2, 3, …)
(a) zero
(b) (2 n – 1) π
(c) n π
(d) (n + 1) π
35. Instead of using two slits, if we use two separate identical sodium lamps in Young’s experiment,
which of the following will occur?
(a) General illumination
(b) Widely separate interference
(c) Very bright maxima
(d) Very dark minima
36. Which of the following is not essential for two sources of light in Young’s double slit experiment to
produce a sustained interference?
(a) Equal wavelength
(b) Wavelength/frequency must be same and phase difference must be constant for producing
sustained interference.
(c) Constant phase relationship
(d) Equal frequency
37. If the width of the slit in single slit diffraction experiment is doubled, then the central maximum of
diffraction pattern becomes
(a) broader and brighter
(b) sharper and brighter
(c) sharper and fainter
(d) broader and fainter.
38. A diffraction pattern is obtained by using beam of red. light what will happen, if red light is replaced
by the blue light?
(a) Bands disappear.
(b) Bands become broader and farther apart.
(c) No change will take place.
(d) Diffraction bands become narrow and crowded together.
39. The phenomenon of diffraction can be treated as interference phenomenon if the number of coherent
sources is
(a) one
(b) two
(c) zero
(d) infinity
40. The diffraction effects in a microscopic specimen become important when the separation between
two points is
(a) much greater than the wavelength of light used.
(b) much less than the wavelength of light used.
(c) comparable to the wavelength of light used.
(d) independent of the wavelength of light used.
VSA 2 MARKS EACH
1. (a) Is it possible to have a purely electric wave propagate through empty space—that is, a wave
made up of an electric field but no magnetic field?
(b) What about a purely magnetic wave, with a
magnetic field but no electric field?
2. In figure, the two light waves that are represented by the rays
have wavelength 550.0 nm before entering media 1 and 2. They
also have equal amplitudes and are in phase. Medium 1 is now
just air, and medium 2 is a transparent plastic layer of
index of refraction 1.600 and thickness 2.600 μm. Find the
phase difference of the emerging waves in wavelengths.
3. Two wavelengths of sodium light of 590 nm and 596 nm are used in turn to study
–6
the diffraction taking place at a single slit of aperture 2 × 10 m. The distance between the slit
and the screen is 1.5 m. Calculate the separation between the positions of first maxima of the
diffraction pattern obtained in the two
cases.
4. A parallel beam of light of wavelength 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 a distance
of 2.5 mm away from the centre. Find the width of the slit.
5. How will the angular separation and visibility of fringes in Young’s double slit experiment
change when (i) screen is moved away from the plane of the slits, and (ii) width of the source
slit is increased?
6. What is the diffraction of light? Draw a graph showing the variation of the intensity with angle
in a single slit diffraction experiment.
7. In the double slit experiment using light of wavelength 600 nm, the angular width of the fringe
formed on a distant screen is 0.1. Find the spacing between the two slits.
8. In a single slit diffraction experiment, the first minima for the red light (660 nm) coincide with the
first maxima of some other wavelength 𝜆. Find the value of 𝜆.
9. Monochromatic light wavelength 589 nm is incident from air on a water surface. What are the
wavelength, frequency and speed of
a) Reflected light
b) Refracted light
(Refractive index of water is 1.33)
10. (a) What type of wavefront will emerge from a
(i) point source, and
(ii) distant light source?
(b) Draw a diagram to show refraction of a plane wave front incident in a convex lens and hence
draw the refracted wave front.
11. (a) 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?
(b) How does the angular separation between fringes in single-slit diffraction experiment change
when the distance of separation between the slit and screen is doubled?
12. (a) State one feature by which the phenomenon of interference can be distinguished from that of
diffraction.
(b) 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.

SA 3 MARKS EACH
1. A carbon dioxide laser emits a sinusoidal electromagnetic wave that travels in vacuum in the
negative x-direction. The wavelength is 10.6 μm (in the infrared) and the field is parallel to
the z-axis, with Emax = 1.5 MV/m. Write vector equations
for and as functions of time and position.
2. Light of wavelength 6 × 10–5 cm falls on a screen at a distance of 100 cm from a narrow slit.
Find the width of the slit if the first minima lie 1 mm on either side of the central maximum.
3. A soap film of thickness 0.3 mm appears dark when seen by the reflected light of wavelength
580 nm. What is the index of refraction of the soap solution, if it is known to be between 1.3
and 1.5?
4. The ratio of the intensities at minima to the maxima in Young's double slit experiment is 9 :
25. Find the ratio of the widths of the two slits
5. a) State two differences between interference pattern and diffraction pattern
b) Draw the diagram to show the refraction of the plane wave front when it travels from rarer
to denser medium.
6. Define wave front
Using the Huygens principle prove the laws of refraction of light waves.
7. Two coherent light wave of intensity 5 x 10-2 Wm-2 each super-impose and produce the interference
𝜆
pattern on a screen . At a point where the path difference between the waves is 6. Where is wave

length of wave, find the

a) Phase difference between the waves
b) Resultant intensities at the point
c) Resultant intensities in terms of the intensities at the maximum
8. In the diffraction due to single slit experiment, the aperture of the slit is 3mm.If the monochromatic
light of wave length 620nm is incident normally on the slit, calculate the separation between the
first order minima and the third order maxima on the one side of the screen. The distance between
the slit and the screen is 1.5 m
9. 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 2λ/3 ?
10. (a) 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.
(b) Also find the minimum value of the order ‘n’ of bright fringe of shorter wavelength which
coincides with that of the longer wavelength.
11. Yellow light (λ = 6000Å) illuminates a single slit of width 1 x 10-4 m. Calculate
(a) 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;
(b) the angular spread of the first diffraction minimum.
CASE BASED QUESTIONS 4 MARKS
1. Case-based question
According to superposition principle, the resultant displacement produced due the number
of waves at a particular point is the vector sum of displacement produced by each vector at
that point. The two sources of light are said to be coherent only when the phase difference
between the light waves produced by them is zero or constant. The point at which two waves
 are in phase or if trough of one wave coincides with the trough of other or crest of one wave
coincides with the crest of other then the resultant intensity produced at that point will be
larger and amplitude also maximum. Such points are the points where constructive
interference takes place. While there are some points where two light waves are not in phase
with each other and crest of one wave coincides with the trough of other and vice versa due
to which resultant intensity at that point is minimum and amplitude also get decreased. Such
points are the points where destructive interference takes place
Q 1.) For coherent sources of light, the phase difference must be___

a) one
b) zero
c) either zero or constant
d) 90°

Q 2.) If the phase difference between two waves is 0, +2π, 4π then,

a) constructive interference will take place

b) destructive interference will take place
c) both a and b
d) interference is not possible

Q 3.) For destructive interference

a) path difference is (n +1/2) times wavelength

b) phase difference is π, -3π, +5π
c) path difference is integral multiple of wavelengths
d) both a and b

Q4) What is the phase difference between consecutive crest and trough in a transverse wave
a) π b)0 c) 2π d)4π

2. Huygen’s principle is the basis of wave theory of light. It

tells how a wave front propagates through a medium.
According to the Huygen’s principle, each point on a wave front is a source of secondary
waves, which add up
to give a wave front at any later time
Figure bellow shows the construction of secondary wave fronts in a medium all the particles
which are same phase constitute a wave front a line perpendicular to wave front is called a
ray.
 1. Select the correct option among the following:

a. Christian Huygens, a contemporary of Newton's

established the wave theory of light by assuming that
light waves were transverse.
b. Maxwell provided the theoretical evidence that light is
transverse wave.
c. Thomas Young experimentally proved the wave
behavior of light and Huygens' assumption
d. All the statements given above, correctly answer the
question "What is light?"

2. The phases of the light wave at c, d, e are Φc, Φd, Φe respectively. It is given that Φc = Φe
.
a. Φc cannot be equal to Φd
b. Φd cannot be equal to Φe
c. Φd – Φe) is equal to (Φc – Φe)
d) (Φd – Φe) is not equal to (Φc – Φe)

3. Light waves travelling through air strike the surface of water at an angle. Which of the
following statements about the light's wave properties upon entering the water is correct?
a. The light's speed, frequency and wavelength all stay the same
b. The light's speed, frequency and wavelength all change
c. The light's speed and frequency change, but the wavelength stays the same
d. The light's wavelength and speed change, but the frequency stays the same.
4.What is the angle between wave front and ray.
a) 0-degree b) 90-degree c)180-degree d)45-degree

3. Case-based question
 A narrow tube is bent in the form of a circle of radius R, as shown in figure. Two small
holes S and D are made in the tube at the positions at right angle to each other. A source
placed at S generates a wave of intensity I0 which is equally divided into two parts: one-part
travels along the longer path, while the other travels along the shorter path. Both the waves
meet at point D where a detector is placed.

(i) If a maximum is formed at a detector, then the

magnitude of wavelength λ of the wave produced is given by
(a) R (b) R/2 (c) R/4 (d) All of these
(ii) The maximum intensity produced at D is
given by
(a) 4I0 (b) 2 I0 (c) I0 (d) 3 I0
(iii) In a Young’s double slit experiment, the
intensity at a point where the path difference
is λ/6 (λ – wavelength of the light) is I. If I0
denotes the maximum intensity, then I/I0 is
equal to
(a) ½ (b) √3/2 (c) 1/ √2 (d) ¾
(iv) Two identical light waves, propagating in the
same direction, have a phase difference δ. After they superpose the intensity of the
resulting wave will be proportional to
(a) Cos δ (b) cos (δ/2) (c) cos2 (δ/2) (d) cos2δ
4. Read the paragraph carefully and answer the following question.
In our daily life we observe various optical phenomenon but do not realize what is occurring to
produce this phenomenon. Light reflected from a film of oil floating on water or soap bubble that
reflects a variety of beautiful colour when illuminated by the natural or artificial light sources are
the example of one of the important optical phenomenon exhibits by the light wave.
 i) Which optical phenomenon is exhibiting by the light wave in the paragraph?
a) Reflection
b) Refraction
c) Interference
d) Diffraction
ii) Four independent waves are expressed as
A. Y1 = a1 sin𝜔𝑡
B. Y2 = a2 sin2𝜔𝑡
C. Y3 = a3 cos 𝜔𝑡
D. Y4 = a4 sin (𝜔𝑡 + 𝜋/3)
a) A and C
b) A and D
c) C and D
d) None of these
iii) The interference phenomenon takes place
a) In all waves
b) In transverse wave only
c) In longitude waves only
d) In standing wave only.
iv) The contrast in the fringes in any interference pattern dependents on
a) Fringe width
b) Intensity ration of the source
c) Wavelength
d) Distance between the sources.

5. Read the paragraph carefully and answer the following question.

When a plane wave front of monochromatic light is incident on a narrow slit, each point of slit
behaves as secondary source of light as per Huygen’s principle. These secondary wavelets which
 travel in different direction. Wavelets emitted by different parts of slit superpose. This gives a broad
pattern with central bright region. On both the sides there are alternative bright and dark fringes.
Thus the intensity distribution on screen is redistributed. This phenomenon is called diffraction of
light due to a narrow slit . The slit width is denoted by a distance of screen from slit is taken as D,
wavelength of light is 𝜆 and fringe width is 𝛽.
i) What is the ratio of central maximum width to other maxima width?
a) 1:2
b) 2:1
c) 3:2
d) 2:3
ii) When slit width is increased , how would it addect width of central maxima?
a) Increase
b) Decrease
c) Remain same
d) May increase or decrease
iii) On what principle is diffraction of light due to narrow slit based?
a) Law of reflection
b) Law of refraction
c) Principle of YDSE
d) Huygen’s principle
iv) Colour of thin film results from
a) Dispersion of light
b) Interference of light
c) Absorption of light
d) Scattering of light

LA ( 5MARKS)
1 Answer the following questions:
(a) In 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?
(b) In what way is diffraction from each slit related to the interference pattern in a double-
slit experiment?
(c) When a tiny circular obstacle is placed in the path of light from a distant source, a bright
spot is seen at the centre of the shadow of the obstacle. Explain why?
(d) Two students are separated by a 7 m partition wall in a room 10 m high. If both light and
sound waves can bend around obstacles, how is it that the students are unable to see each
 other even though they can converse easily.
(e) Ray optics assumes that light travels in a straight line. Diffraction effects (observed when
light propagates through small apertures/slits or around small obstacles) disprove this
assumption. Yet the ray optics assumption is so commonly used in understanding location
and several other properties of images in optical instruments. What is the justification?

2 a) In Young’s double slit experiment describe briefly how bright and dark fringes are obtained
on the screen kept in front of a double slit. Hence obtained the expression for the fringe
width.
b) The ratio of the intensities at minima to the maxima in the Youngs double slit experiment is
9: 25. Find the ratio of the width of the two slits.

3
ANSWERS FOR MCQs

1. b. 0.24 mm
2. d
3. d. When red light is replaced by blue light the diffraction bands become narrow and crowded.
4. b. The wavelength of radio waves being much larger than light, has a size comparable to those
of buildings, hence diffract from them.
5. d
6. b
7. Ultraviolet radiations produced during welding are harmful to eyes. Special goggles or face
masks are used to
protect eyes from UV radiations. UV radiations have a range of frequency between 1014 Hz
– 1016 Hz.
8. a
9. The diffraction effect is more pronounce if the size of the aperture or the obstacle is of the
order of wavelength of wave. As wavelength of light ( 10–6 m) is much more smaller than size
of object around us so diffraction of light is not easily seen but sound wave has large
wavelength (15 mm < λ < 15 m), they get easily diffracted by objects around us.
10. In young’s double slit experiment, if one slit is fully closed, the new pattern has larger central
maximum in angular size.
11. d
12. a
13. (b)
14. b
15. b
 16. b
17. c
18. c
19. a
20. a
21. d
22. c
23. a),b)
24. FRINGE WIDTH ,𝛽 =D𝜆/d the implies as 𝛽 ∝ 𝜆.
In water , 𝜆′ = 𝜆/𝑛 where n=4/3
Therefor fringe width decreases by ¾ times.
25. b
26. a
27. a
28. d
29. b
30. b
31. (d) hyperbola
32. (b) Interference
33. (c) 9:1
34. (b) For minima, phase diff. = odd integral multiple of π = (2n-1)π
35. (a) There will be general illumination as super imposing waves do not have constant phase
difference.
36. (b) Wavelength/frequency must be same and phase difference must be constant for producing
sustained interference.
37. (b) Width of central maximum in diffraction pattern due to single slit = 2λD/d where λ is the
wavelength, D is the distance between screen and slit and ‘a’ is the slit width. As the slit width a
increases, width of central maximum becomes sharper or narrower. As same energy is distributed
over a smaller area. therefore central maximum becomes brighter.
38. (d) When red light is replaced by blue light the diffraction bands become narrow and crowded.
39. (d) Diffraction on a single slit is equivalent to interference of light from infinite number of coherent
sources contained in the slit.
40. (c) When the wavelength of light used is comparable with the separation between two points, the
image of the object will be a Φ diffraction pattern whose size will be,
θ=1.22λ/D, where λ = wavelength of light used; D= diameter of the objective
Two objects whose images are closer than this distance, will not be resolved.
ANSWERS FOR VSA ( 2 MARKS)
1 (a) no, (b) no A purely electric wave would have a varying electric field. Such a field necessarily
generates a magnetic field through Ampere’s law, so a purely electric wave is impossible. In
the same way, a purely magnetic wave is impossible: The varying magnetic field in such a
wave would automatically give rise to an electric field through Faraday’s law.
2 Here we have n1 =1.000 (for the air), n2 =1.600,
L =2.600 μm, and λ=550.0 nm. Thus,
 𝐿
N2 - N1 = (n2-n1)
𝜆
2.600 × 10−6
= (1.600 − 1.000)
5.500 × 10−7
= 2.84 Wavelength
3 Here λ1= 590 nm and λ2= 596 nm
d = 2 × 10–6 m , D = 1.5 m
Distance of first secondary maximum from the centre of the screen is
3 𝜆𝐷
X=
2 𝑑
3 𝐷𝜆1 3 𝐷𝜆2
For the two wavelengths X1 = and X2 =
2 𝑑 2 𝑑
Spacing between the first two maximum of sodium lines
3𝐷
X2 - X1 = ( λ2 - λ1) = 6.75 mm
2𝑑
4

5 (i) Angular separation=λ/d

It is independent of D; therefore, angular separation remains unchanged if screen is moved
away from the slits. But the actual separation between fringes
=λD/d
increases, so visibility of fringes increases.
(ii) When width of source slit is increased, then the angular fringe width remains unchanged
but fringes becomes less and less sharp; so visibility of fringes decreases. If the condition s/S
< λ/d ,
is not satisfied, the interference pattern disappears. Here s is the size of the source and S its
distance from the plane of the two slits.
6 The phenomenon of bending of light around the corner of an obstacle or aperture into a
region of geometrical shadow provided the condition of size of obstacle or aperture is
comparable to the wave length of light.

7 𝜆
Formula used ∶ Δ𝜃 =
𝑑
8 For first minima of red light a sin 𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆r
 For first maxima of light of wavelength 𝜆′
𝜆′
A sin 𝜃’=(2n+1) Where n=1
2
′
Sin 𝜃 = Sin 𝜃
9 a) For reflected light v= c/𝜆 c=3x108 m/s
𝜆 𝑐
b) For refracted light wavelength 𝜆′ = 𝜇 𝑣=𝜇

10 (a) (i) Point source – Spherical wavefront

(ii) Distant light source – Plane wavefront.
(b)

11 (a)

(b)

When the distance D of separation between the slits and the screen is doubled, the angular
separation θ remains unchanged.
12 (a) 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.
(b)
 ANSWERS FOR SA ( 3 MARKS)
1. A possible pair of wave functions that describe the
wave are

The plus sign in the arguments of the cosine functions

indicates that the wave is propagating in the negative
x-direction, as it should. Faraday’s law requires that
Emax = c Bmax

We have λ= 10.6 × 10-6 m, so the wave number and angular frequency are

Substituting these values into the above wave functions we get

2. Here n=1 and λ = 6 × 10–5 cm

Distance of screen from slit = 100 cm
Distance of first minimum from central maxima = 0.1 cm
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑎 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑎
Sin θ =
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑡
0.1 1
θ1 = =
100 1000
𝜆
We know that a Sin θ = n λ, a = = 0.06 cm
1
3. The path difference is 2μt
𝜆 𝜆
For destructive interference it can be 2μt = 𝜆/2, 3 , 5 and so on
2 2
𝜆 3𝜆 5𝜆
Therefore μ = , , and so on
4𝑡 4𝑡 4𝑡

μ = 1.45
4. Intensity of light (using classical theory) is given as
I ∝ (Width of the slit)
∝ (Amplitude)2
𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 (𝑎1 +𝑎2 )2 25
= =
𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 (𝑎1 −𝑎2 )2 9
𝑎1 +𝑎2 5
=
𝑎1 −𝑎2 3
 𝑎1 4
=
𝑎2 1
𝐼1 𝑊1 (𝑎1 )2
= =
𝐼2 𝑊2 (𝑎2 )2
𝑊1 (4)2 16
= =
𝑊2 (1)2 1

5. a) Differences between interference and diffraction patterns:

(1) Interference is the superposition of light waves from two different wave fronts
originating from the same source, while the diffraction is the interaction of light
waves from different parts of the same wave front.
(2) In an interference pattern, fringes may or may not be of the same width, while in
diffraction pattern, they are never of the same width.
b)

6. Wave front: A wave front is the locus of all the points in space which receives the light
waves from a source in phase.
According to the Huygens principle, each point of the wave front is the
source of secondary disturbance and the wavelengths emitting from these
points spread out in all directions with the speed of the wave. A common
tangent to all wavelets in the forward direction gives the new position of wave
front at a later time.

From 𝛥ABB’, sin i = BB’/AB’ = ʋ1 × t/AB’

From 𝛥AA’B’, sin r = AA’/AB’ = ʋ2 × t/AB’
∴ sin i/sin r = ʋ1/ʋ2
Which is Snell’s laws of refraction

7. 2𝜇
a) Phase difference = 𝜆

b) I = 2 Io (1+cos𝜙) = 2 Io (1+cos 𝜋/3)

c) Maximum intensity = 4 Io
8. Condition for minima a sin 𝜃=n𝜆
Condition for secondary maxima a sin 𝜃=(n+1/2)𝜆
For first order minima n=1
For third order maxima n=3
9. These sources are needed to ensure that the position of maxima and minima do not change with
time.
10. 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

11. (a) Distance between two dark lines, on either

(b) Angular spread of the first diffraction minimum (on either side)

ANSWERS FOR CBQ ( 4 MARKS)

1. 1)c 2) a 3)d 4)a
2. 1.b 2.c 3.d 4. b
3. d, all of these
b, 2I0
 d, ¾
c, cos2(δ/2)
4. i) C ii) b iii) a iv) b
5. i) B ii) b iii) d iv) b
KEY 5 MARKS
1 Ans.(a) In a single slit diffraction experiment, if the width of the slit is made double the
original width, then the size of the central diffraction band reduces to half and the intensity
of the central diffraction band increases up to four times.
(b) The interference pattern in a double-slit experiment is modulated by diffraction from
each slit. The pattern is the result of the interference of the diffracted wave from each slit.
(c) When a tiny circular obstacle is placed in the path of light from a distant source, a bright
spot is seen at the centre of the shadow of the obstacle. This is because light waves are
diffracted from the edge of the circular obstacle, which interferes constructively at the
centre of the shadow. This constructive interference produces a bright spot.
(d) Bending of waves by obstacles by a large angle is possible when the size of the obstacle
is comparable to the wavelength of the waves.
On the one hand, the wavelength of the light waves is too small in comparison to the size of
the obstacle. Thus, the diffraction angle will be very small. Hence, the students are unable
to see each other. On the other hand, the size of the wall is comparable to the wavelength
of the sound waves. Thus, the bending of the waves takes place at a large angle. Hence, the
students are able to hear each other.
(e) The justification is that in ordinary optical instruments, the size of the aperture involved
is much larger than the wavelength of the light used.
2 a) When waves reach at a pont on the screen with same phase maxima are obtaind. And with
phase difference of pie minima are obtained
Path difference between waves is given
Δ𝑃 = 𝑆2Q – S1Q = S2M
Δ𝑃
sin 𝜃 =
𝑎
i) For bright fringe Δ𝑃 = 𝑛𝜆 Δ𝑃= Yna/D
ii) For dark fringe Δ𝑃 = (2𝑛 − 1)𝜆/2
𝛽 = (i) – (ii)
b) For the interference pattern Imin/Imax= 9/25
𝑎1 𝑎1
Here I1/I2 = a12/a22 and Imin/Imax =( - 1)/ ( + 1)
𝑎2 𝑎2

I1/I2 = a12/a22 = 16/1 Answer