Math Problems: Optics

1. The wavelength of light from sodium source in vacuum is 5893Å.What are its (a)
wavelength, (b) speed and (c) frequency when this light travels in water which has
a refractive index of 1.33.

Solution

The refractive index of vacuum, n1 = 1

The wavelength in vacuum, λ1 = 5893 Å.

The speed in vacuum, c = 3 × 108 m s–1

The refractive index of water, n2 = 1.33

The wavelength of light in water, λ2

The speed of light in water, v2

(a) The equation relating the wavelength and refractive index is,
(b) The equation relating the speed and refractive index is,

The results show that the frequency remains same in all media.

Interference - Numerical Problems

2. Two light sources with amplitudes 5 units and 3 units respectively interfere with
each other. Calculate the ratio of maximum and minimum intensities.

Solution

Amplitudes, a1 = 5, a2 = 3
Resultant amplitude,

3. Two light sources of equal amplitudes interfere with each other. Calculate the
ratio of maximum and minimum intensities.

Solution

Let the amplitude be a.

The intensity is, I ∝ µ 4a2 cos2(ϕ/ 2)

or I = 4I0 cos2(ϕ/2)

Resultant intensity is maximum when,

ϕ = 0, cos0 = 1, Imax ∝ 4a2

Resultant amplitude is minimum when,

ϕ = π, cos(π/2) = 0, Imin = 0

Imax : Imin = 4a2 : 0

4. Two light sources have intensity of light as I0. What is the resultant intensity at a
point where the two light waves have a phase difference of π/3?

Solution

Let the intensities be I0.

The resultant intensity is, I = 4I0cos2(ϕ/2)

Resultant intensity when, ϕ = π / 3, is

I = 4I0 cos2 (π/6)

I = 4Io (√3/2)2 = 3Io

5. The wavelength of a light is 450 nm. How much phase it will differ for a path of
3 mm?

Solution

The wavelength is, λ = 450 nm = 450×10-9m

Path difference is, δ = 3 mm = 3×10−3m

Relation between phase difference and path difference is, ϕ = 2π/λ ×δ

Substituting,

ϕ = [ 2π / 450×10-9 ] ×3×10−3 = (π/75) ×106

ϕ = (π/75) ×106 rad

6. In Young’s double slit experiment, the two slits are 0.15 mm apart. The light
source has a wavelength of 450 nm. The screen is 2 m away from the slits.

(i) Find the distance of the second bright fringe and also third dark fringe from the
central maximum.

(ii) Find the fringe width.

(iii) How will the fringe pattern change if the screen is moved away from the slits?

(iv) What will happen to the fringe width if the whole setup is immersed in water of
refractive index 4/3.

Solution

d = 0.15 mm = 0.15× 10-3 m; D = 2 m;

λ = 450 nm = 450 × 10-9 m; n = 4/3

(i) Equation for nth bright fringe is,

(ii) Equation for fringe width is,

(iii) The fringe width will increase as D is increased,

(iv) The fringe width will decrease as the setup is immersed in water of refractive
index 4/3
The wavelength will decrease refractive index n times.

Hence, β ∝ λ and β’ ∝ λ’

7. Two lights of wavelengths 560 nm and 420 nm are used in Young’s double slit
experiment. Find the least distance from the central fringe where the bright fringe of
the two wavelengths coincides. Given D = 1 m and d = 3 mm.

Solution

λ = 560 nm = 560×10−9 m;

λ2 = 420 nm = 420×10−9 m;

D = 1 m; d = 3 mm = 3×10−3 m

For a given y, n and λ are inversely proportional.

Let nth order bright fringe of λ1 coincides with (n+1)th order bright fringe of λ2.
Thus, the 3rd bright fringe of λ1 and 4th bright fringe of λ2 coincide at the least
distance y.

The least distance from the central fringe where the bright fringes of the two
wavelengths coincides is, yn = n [(λD)/d]

8. Find the minimum thickness of a film of refractive index 1.25, which will strongly
reflect the light of wavelength 589 nm. Also find the minimum thickness of the film
to be anti-reflecting.

Solution

λ = 589 nm = 589×10−9 m

For the film to have strong reflection, the reflected waves should interfere
constructively. The least optical path difference introduced by the film should be λ/2.
The optical path difference between the waves reflected from the two surfaces of the
film is 2µd. Thus, for strong reflection, 2µd = λ/2 [As given in equation 6.145.
with n = 1]

Rewriting, d = λ/4μ

Substituting, d = [589×109] / [4×1.25] = 117.8×10−9

d = 117.8×10−9 = 117.8 nm

For the film to be anti-reflecting, the reflected rays should interfere destructively.
The least optical path difference introduced by the film should be λ. The optical path
difference between the waves reflected from the two surfaces of the film is 2µd. For
strong reflection, 2µd = λ [As given in equation 6.146. with n = 1].

Rewriting, d = λ/2μ

Substituting, d = [589×109] / [2×1.25] = 235.6×10−9

d = 235.6×10−9 = 235.6 nm

Diffraction - Numerical Problems

9. Light of wavelength 500 nm passes through a slit of 0.2 mm wide. The diffraction
pattern is formed on a screen 60 cm away. Determine the,

(i) angular spread of central maximum

(ii) the distance between the central maximum and the second minimum.

Solution

λ = 500 nm = 500×10-9 m; a = 0.2 mm = 0.2×10-3 m; D = 60 cm = 60×10-2 m

(i) Equation for diffraction minimum is, a sin θ = nλ

The central maximum is spread up to the first minimum. Hence, n = 1

(ii) To find the value of y1 for central maximum, which is spread up to first minimum
with (n = 1) is, a sin θ = λ

To find the value of y2 for second minimum with (n = 2) is, a sin θ = 2λ

The distance between the central maximum and second minimum is, y2 – y1
y2 – y1 = 3 mm – 1.5 mm = 1.5 mm

Note: The above calculation shows that in the diffraction pattern caused by single
slit, the width of each maximum is equal with central maximum as the double that
of others. But the bright and dark fringes are not of equal width.

10. A monochromatic light of wavelength 5000 Å passes through a single slit

producing diffraction pattern for the central maximum as shown in the figure.
Determine the width of the slit.

Solution

λ = 5000 Å = 5000×10-10 m; sin 30º = 0.5; n = 1; a =?

Equation for diffraction minimum is, asin θ = nλ

The central maximum is spread up to the first minimum. Hence, n = 1

Rewriting, a = λ / Sinθ

Substituting, a = 5000×10−10 / 0.5

a = 1×10−6 m = 0.001×10−3m = 0.001mm

11. Calculate the distance for which ray optics is good approximation for an aperture
of 5 mm and wavelength 500 nm.

Solution

a = 5 mm = 5 × 10-3 m;

λ = 500nm = 500×10−9 m; z = ?

Equation for Fresnel’s distance, z = a2/2λ

Substituting,

z = [5 × 10-3]2 / 2×500×10−9

z = 25 m

12. A diffraction grating consisting of 4000 slits per centimeter is illuminated with
a monochromatic light that produces the second order diffraction at an angle of 30°.
What is the wavelength of the light used?

Solution

Number of lines per cm = 4000; m = 2;

θ = 30°; λ = ?

Number of lines per unit length,

N = 4000 / 1×10−2 = 4×105

Equation for diffraction maximum in grating is, sinθ = Nmλ

Rewriting, λ = sinθ / Nm

Substituting,

λ = sin 30º / 4×105×2 = 0.5 / 4×105×2

= 1 / [2×4×105 ×2] = 1 / [16×105]

λ = 6250×10−10 m = 6250 Ao

13. A monochromatic light of wavelength of 500 nm strikes a grating and produces

fourth order bright line at an angle of 30°. Find the number of slits per centimeter.

Solution

λ = 500 nm = 500×10-9 m; m = 4;

θ = 30°; number of lines per cm = ?

Equation for diffraction maximum in grating is, sin θ = Nm λ

Rewriting, N = sinθ / mλ

Substituting,

N = 0.5 / 4×500×10−9 = 1 / 2×4×500×10−9

N = 2.5×105 lines per meter

number of lines per centimeter = 2.5×105 ×10−2 = 2500 lines per centimetre
14. The optical telescope in the Vainu Bappu observatory at Kavalur has an objective
lens of diameter 2.3 m. What is its angular resolution if the wavelength of light used
is 589 nm?

Solution

a = 2.3 m; λ = 589 nm = 589×10-9 m; θ = ?

The equation for angular resolution is,

θ = 1.22 λ / a

Substituting,

θ = 1.22×589×10−9 / 2.3 = 321.4×10−9

θ = 3.214×10−7 rad ≈ 0.0011'

Note: The angular resolution of human eye is approximately, 3×10−4 rad ≈ 1.03'.

Polarization - Numerical Problems

15. Two polaroids are kept with their transmission axes inclined at 30º. Unpolarised
light of intensity I falls on the first polaroid. Find out the intensity of light emerging
from the second polaroid.

Solution

As the intensity of the unpolarised light falling on the first polaroid is I, the intensity
of polarized light emerging will be, I0 = ( I/2 ).

Let I ‘ be the intensity of light emerging from the second polaroid.

Malus’ law, I ′ = I0 cos2θ

Substituting,
16. Two polaroids are kept crossed (transmission axes at 90º) to each other.

(i) What will be the intensity of the light coming out from the second polaroid when
an unpolarised light of intensity I falls on the first polaroid?

(ii) What will be the intensity of light coming out from the second polaroid if a third
polaroid is kept at 45º inclination to both of them.

Solution

(i) As the intensity of the unpolarised light falling on the first polaroid is I, the
intensity of polarized light emerging from it will be I 0 = (I/2).

Let I‘ be the intensity of light emerging from the second polaroid.

Malus’ law, I ′ = I0 cos2θ

Here θ is 90º as the transmission axes are perpendicular to each other.

Substituting,

I0 = ( I/2 ) cos2 (90º)= 0

[∴ cos(90º )= 0]

No light comes out from the second polaroid.

(ii) Let the first polaroid be P1 and the second polaroid be P2. They are oriented at
90º. The third polaroid P3 is introduced between them at 45º. Let I ‘ be the intensity
of light emerging from P3.

Angle between P1 and P3 is 45º. The intensity of light coming out from P3 is, I ′
= I0 cos2 θ

Substituting,

Angle between P3 and P2 is 45º. Let I” is the intensity of light coming out
from P2 I ′′ = I ′ cos2 θ

Here, the intensity of polarized light existing between P3 and P2 is 1/4.

Substituting,
17. Find the polarizing angles for (i) glass of refractive index 1.5 and (ii) water of
refractive index 1.33.

Solution

Brewster’s law, tanip = n

For glass, tanip = 1.5; ip = tan−11.5; ip = 56.3º

For water, tanip = 1.33; ip = tan−11.33; ip = 53.1º

18. What is the angle at which a glass plate of refractive index 1.65 is to be kept with
respect to the horizontal surface so that an unpolarised light travelling horizontal
after reflection from the glass plate is found to be plane polarised?

Solution

n = 1.65

Brewster’s law, tanip = n

tanip = 1.65; ip = tan−11.65; ip = 58.80

The inclination with the horizontal surface is, (900 −58.80 ) = 31.20
Numerical Problems
19. The ratio of maximum and minimum intensities in an interference pattern is 36:1.
What is the ratio of the amplitudes of the two interfering waves?

[Ans: 7:5]

20. In Young’s double slit experiment, 62 fringes are seen in visible region for
sodium light of wavelength 5893 Å. If violet light of wavelength 4359 Å is used in
place of sodium light, then what is the number of fringes seen? [Ans: 84]
21. Light of wavelength 600 nm that falls on a pair of slits producing interference
pattern on a screen in which the bright fringes are separated by 7.2 mm. What must
be the wavelength of another light which produces bright fringes separated by 8.1
mm with the same apparatus?

[Ans: 675 nm]

22. A beam of light of wavelength 600 nm from a distant source falls on a single slit
1 mm wide and the resulting diffraction pattern is observed on a screen 2 m away.
What is the distance between the first dark fringe on either side of the central bright
fringe?

[Ans: 2.4 mm]

23. Light of wavelength of 5000 Å produces diffraction pattern of the single slit of
width 2.5 µm. What is the maximum order of diffraction possible?

[Ans: 5]
24. I0 is the intensity of light existing between two cross Polaroids kept with their
axes perpendicular to each other. A third polaroid is introduced between them. What
must be the angle between the axes of first and the newly introduced polaroid to ge
the maximum light from the whol arrangement?

[Ans: 45°]
25. An unpolarised light of intensity 32 Wm-2 passes through three Polaroids such
that the axes of the first and the last Polaroids are at 90°. What is the angle between
the axes of the first and middle Polaroids so that the emerging light has an intensity
of only 3 Wm-²?

[Ans: 30°]
26. The reflected light is found to be plane polarised when an unpolarized light falls
on a denser medium at 60° with the normal. Find the angle of refraction and critical
angle of incidence for total internal reflection in the denser to rarer medium
reflection.

[Ans: 30°, 35.15°]

27. The specific rotation of sugar solution is determined by the formula;

S = θ / LC

Where, θ is the rotation produced in degree, L is the length of the tube in the decimeter (1
decimeter = 10 cm) and C is the concentration of the active substance in gm/cc in the solution.
The unit of specific rotation is degree/(decimeter) x (gm/cm3 ).

If length of the solution (tube) is in cm then the formula will be;

S = 10θ / LC

Also, C = mass of the substance (M) / volume (V).

So, specific rotation = (10 θV) / (LM)

Reference:

1. https://www.brainkart.com/article/Solved-Example-Numerical-Problems_41481/