Wave Optics

Most Important Questions (इससे बाहर कुछ नह ीं आएगा)

1. (a) Define wavefront. Use Huygen’s principle to verify the laws of refraction.

2. (a) Define a wavefront. How is it different from a ray?

(b) Depict the shape of a wavefront in each of the following cases.
(i) Light diverging from point source.
(ii) Light emerging out of a convex lens when a point source is placed at its focus.
(iii) Using Huygen’s construction of secondary wavelets, draw a diagram showing the passage of a plane
wavefront from a denser into a rarer medium.

3. A plane wavefront is incident at an angle of incidence i on a reflecting surface. Draw a diagram showing
incident wavefront, reflected wavefront and verify the laws of reflection.

4. Two wavelengths of sodium light of 590 nm and 596 nm are used in turn to study the diffraction taking
place at a single slit of aperture 2 × 10-6 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.
Ans. 6.75 × 10-3 m = 6.75 mm

5. The ratio of the intensities at minima to the maxima in the Young’s double slit experiment is 9:25. Find
the ratio of the widths of the two slits.
Ans. Ratio = 16:1
6. A beam of light consisting of two wave lengths, 800 nm and 600 nm is used to obtain the interference
fringes in a Young’s double slit experiment on a screen placed 1.4 m away. If the two slits are separated
by 0.28 mm, calculate the least distance from the central bright maximum where the bright fringes of the
two wavelengths coincide.
Ans. x = 1.2 × 10-1 m

7. (a) Explain two features to distinguish between the interference pattern in Young’s double slit experiment
with the diffraction pattern obtained due to a single slit.
(b) A monochromatic light of wavelength 500 nm is incident normally on a single slit of width 0.2 mm to
produce a diffraction pattern. Find the angular width of the central maximum obtained on the screen.
Estimate the number of fringes obtained in Young’s double slit experiment with fringe width 0.5 mm,
which can be accommodated within the region of total angular spread of the central maximum due to
single slit.
Ans. Angular width of central maximum = 5 × 10-3 radian
𝟐𝐝
Number of fringes (n) = 𝒂

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 Case Study-Based Type Questions
1. Diffraction and interference are closely related phenomena that occur together. Diffraction is the
phenomenon of bending of light around the edges of the obstacle, while interference is the
combination of waves that results in a new wave pattern. In order to get interference, there must be
at least two waves that are diffracting. So, while diffraction can occur without interference,
interference cannot occur without diffraction. Two slits of width 2 μm each in an opaque material
are separated by a distance of 6 μm. Monochromatic light of wavelength 450 nm is incident normally
on the slits. One finds a combined interference and diffraction pattern on the screen.

(i) The number of peaks of the interference fringes formed within the central peak of the envelope of
the diffraction pattern will be:
(a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (d) 6
(ii) The number of peaks of the interference formed if the slit width is doubled while keeping the
distance between the slits same will be:
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4
(iii) (A) If instead of 450 nm light, another light of wavelength 680 nm is used, number of peaks of the
interference formed in the central peak of the envelope of the diffraction pattern will be:
(a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6 (d) 9
OR
(B) Consider the diffraction of light by a single slit described in this case study. The first
minimum falls at an angle equal to:
(a) Sin-1 (0.12) (b) Sin-1 (0.225)
(c) Sin-1 (0.32) (d) Sin-1 (0.45)

(iv) The number of bright fringes formed due to interference on 1 m of screen placed at 4/3 m away
from the slits is:
(a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 6 (d) 10

2. Diffraction of light is bending of light around the corners of an object whose size is comparable with
the wavelength of light. Diffraction actually defines the limits of ray optics. This limit for optical
instruments is set by the wavelength of light. An experimental arrangement is set up to observe the
diffraction patterns due to a single slit.
Answer the following based on the above:
(a) How will the width of central maximum be affected if the wavelength of light is increased?
(b) Under what condition is the first minimum obtained?
(c) Write two points of difference between interference and diffraction patterns.
OR
(d) Two students are separated by a 7 m partition wall in a room 10 m high. If both light and sound waves
can bens around obstacles, how is it that the students are unable to see each other even though they
can converse easily?
 Assertion and Reason
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) Assertion is correct, but the Reason is incorrect.
(d) Assertion is incorrect, but the Reason is correct.

1. Assertion (A): In interference and diffraction of light, light energy reduces one region producing a dark
fringe. It increases in one region and produces a bright fringe.
Reason (R): This happens because energy is not conserved in the phenomena of interference and
diffraction.

2. Assertion (A): In a Young’s double-slit experiment, interference pattern is not observed when two
coherent sources are infinitely close to each other.
Reason (R): The fringe width is proportional to the separation between the two sources.

3. Assertion (A): The phase difference between any two points on a wavefront is zero.
Reason (R): All points on a wavefront are at the same distance from the source and thus oscillate in the
same phase.

4. Assertion (A): In a Young’s double-slit experiment, all fringes are of equal width.
Reason (R): The fringes width depends upon wavelength of light (λ) used, distance of screen from plane
of slits (D) and slits separation (d).

5. Assertion (A): According to Huygen’s principle, no backward wave-front is possible.

Reason (R): 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.

6. Assertion (A): In Young’s double slit experiment if wavelength of incident monochromatic light is just
doubled, number of bright fringes on the screen will increase.
Reason (R): Maximum number of bright fringes on the screen is inversely proportional to the wavelength
of light used.

7. Assertion (A): In YDSE, if a thin film is introduced in front of the upper slit, then the fringe pattern shifts
in the downward direction.
Reason (R): In YDSE if the slit widths are unequal, the minima will be completely dark.