PHYSICS

PART I
Physical optics (CHAP # 09)

COMPILED BY:
FURQAN ALI
LECTURER IN PHYSICS
ASPIRE GROUP OF COLLEGES
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Physical Optics
The study of characteristics and properties of visible light is called optics
In 1678 Huygens’s proposed that light energy from a luminous source travels in space in the form of waves.
In 1801 Young’s interference experiment proves that light travels in the form of waves and thus establishes the
Huygens’s wave theory.

Ray of light The angle between the

A line normal to the wave-front, showing the direction of propagation of light is called a ray ray of light and the wave
of light front is 900
Wave-front
Such a surface on which all the points have the same phase of vibration is known as wave-front.
✓ There are three types of wavfronts, spherical or circular, plane and cylindrical wave-fronts
✓ In case of point source, the wave front is spherical in shape.
✓ When source is at a very large distance then wave-fronts are plane wave-fronts.
✓ In case of slit the wave-fronts are cylindrical in shape.

In the study of interference and diffraction plane wave-fronts are used so a usual way to obtain plane warfronts is to
place a point source of light at the focus of a convex lens. The rays coming out of the lens will give plane waves.

The phase difference between two

points on wave front is zero

The distance between two

consecutive wave fronts is one
wavelength.

The blue colour of sky is due to

scattering

Huygens’s Principle
Knowing the shape and location of a wave front at any instant t, Huygens’s
principle enables us to determine the shape and location of the new wave front
at a later time t + ∆t. This principle consists of two parts.
➢ Every point of a wave front may be considered as a source of secondary
wavelets which spread out in forward direction with a speed equal to
the speed of propagation of the wave.
➢ The new position of the wave front after a certain interval of time can
be found by constructing a surface that touches all the secondary
wavelets.

AB represents the wave front at any instant t. To determine the wave front at
time t + ∆t, draw secondary wavelets with centre at various points on the wave
front AB and radius as c∆t where c is speed of the propagation of wave. The new wave front at
time t + ∆t is A’B’ which is a tangent envelope to all the secondary wavelets
Sodium Chloride in a flame gives
Interference of Light:
out pure yellow light. This light
When two identical waves meet each other in a medium then at some points they
reinforce the effect of each other and at some points they cancel the effect of each is not a mixture of red and green
other this phenomenon is called Interference.

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Types of Interference:
➢ Constructive Interference
➢ Destructive Interference

Constructive Interference:
If crest of one wave falls on the crest of another wave, then they support
each other. Such interference is known as Constructive interference.
For Constructive Interference:
Path difference = mλ
Where m = 0, 1, 2, 3 … … … ….
Destructive Interference:
If crest of one wave falls on the trough of another wave, then they cancel
each other. Such interference is known as Destructive interference:
For Destructive Interference:
1
Path difference = (m + )λ
2
λ
Or Path difference = (2m + 1) 2

Where m = 0, 1, 2, 3 … … … ….
Condition for Detectable Interference Pattern:
The following condition must be met, in order to observe the interference phenomenon
 The interfering beam must be monochromatic.
 The interfering beams of light must be coherent.
 The sources should be narrow and very close to each other.
 The intensity of two sources is comparable.
Monochromatic Sources:
The sources which should emit the light of single wavelength are called monochromatic source.
Coherent Sources:
The monochromatic sources of light which emit wave, having a constant phase
difference, are called coherent sources.
How to obtain coherent sources:
A common method to obtain the coherent light beam is to use a monochromatic
source to illuminate a screen containing two small closely spaced holes, usually in
the shape of slits. The light emerging of two slits is coherent because a single
source produces the original beam and two slits serve only to split it into two parts.
The points on the Huygens wave front which sent out secondary wavelet are also
coherent sources of light.
Q.1 Explain young’s double slit experiment in detail.
Ans: In 1801, Thomas Young performed the interference
experiment to prove the wave nature of light.
Experimental arrangement: A screen having two narrow slits S1
and S2 separated by a distance ‘d’ is illuminated by a beam of
monochromatic light of wavelength 𝜆. The interference is being
seen on the screen at a distance L from the slits. The interference is
produced due to the superposition of the light waves coming from
the sources S1 and S2 and being viewed at point P on the screen
which is at y distance from central bright fringe
Conditions for maxima and minima:
In order to derive the equations for maxima and minima, an
arbitrary point P is taken on the screen on one side of the central
point O as shown in the figure. The path difference between two

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light beams is BD. In ∆ABD

𝐵𝐷
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃
𝐴𝐵
𝐵𝐷 = 𝐴𝐵𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃
(𝐴𝐵 = 𝑑)
𝑃𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 𝐵𝐷 = 𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 − − − −(1)
Condition for constructive interference:
To observe a bright fringe (maxima) at P, the path difference between two beams must BD must be an integral
multiple of wavelength. So,
𝐵𝐷 = 𝑚𝜆
𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑚𝜆 − − − −(2)
Where m = 0,1,2,3,4, ….
Where m is called the order of fringe. At central point O, the path difference BP − AP = 0, so there will be a bright
fringe at O, corresponding to 𝑚 = 0. This is called zeroth order of fringe.
Condition for destructive interference:
If a dark fringe is formed at point P, The path difference BD must contain odd integral multiple of half of wavelength.
According to condition of dark fringe,
1
𝐵𝐷 = (𝑚 + ) 𝜆
2
1
𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = (𝑚 + ) 𝜆 − − − −(3)
2
Where m = 0,1,2,3,4, ….
Position of bright and dark fringes:
Let y is the distance of point P from the central point O and a bright fringe is
formed at P. Now from figure, we can write the triangle POC.
𝑂𝑃 𝑦
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = =
𝑂𝐶 𝐿
𝑦
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 =
𝐿
(𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒𝑠, 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ≈ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 )
𝑦
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = − − − −(4)
𝐿
Position of bright fringe:
From eq. (2)
𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑚𝜆
By using eq. (4), we have,
𝑦
𝑑 ( ) = 𝑚𝜆
𝐿
𝑚𝜆𝐿
𝑦𝐵 =
𝑑
Where 𝑚 = 0,1,2,3,4, ….
Position of Dark fringe:
From eq. (3)
1
𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = (𝑚 + ) 𝜆
2
By using eq. (4), we have
𝑦 1
𝑑 ( ) = (𝑚 + ) 𝜆
𝐿 2
,
1 𝜆𝐿
𝑦𝐷 = (𝑚 + )
2 𝑑

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Where m = 0,1,2,3,4, ….
Fringe Spacing:
The distance between centers of the two consecutive bright or dark fringes is called fringe spacing.
For two bright fringes: (Width of Dark fringe)
In order to find the distance between two consecutive bright fringes on the screen mth and (m+1)th fringes are
considered
𝜆𝐿
Position of mth fringe ym = (𝑚)
𝑑
𝜆𝐿
Position of (m + 1)th fringe ym+1 = (𝑚 + 1)
𝑑
Then
∆𝑦 = 𝑦𝑚+1 − 𝑦𝑚
𝜆𝐿 𝜆𝐿
∆𝑦 = (𝑚 + 1) − (𝑚)
𝑑 𝑑
𝜆𝐿
∆𝑦 = (𝑚 + 1 − 𝑚)
𝑑
𝜆𝐿
∆𝑦 =
𝑑
𝜆𝐿
∆𝑦 =
𝑑
For two dark fringes: (Width of Bright fringe)
1 3
In order to find the distance between two consecutive dark fringes on the screen (𝑚 + ) 𝑡ℎ and (𝑚 + ) 𝑡ℎ fringes
2 2
are considered
1 1 𝜆𝐿
𝑃𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 (𝑚 + ) 𝑡ℎ 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑦𝑚 = (𝑚 + )
2 2 𝑑
3 3 𝜆𝐿
𝑃𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 (𝑚 + ) 𝑡ℎ 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑦𝑚+1 = (𝑚 + )
2 2 𝑑
Then,
∆𝑦 = 𝑦𝑚+1 − 𝑦𝑚
3 𝜆𝐿 1 𝜆𝐿
∆𝑦 = (𝑚 + ) − (𝑚 + )
2 𝑑 2 𝑑
𝜆𝐿 3 1
∆𝑦 = [(𝑚 + ) − (𝑚 + )]
𝑑 2 2
𝜆𝐿 3 1
∆𝑦 = (𝑚 + − 𝑚 − )
𝑑 2 2
𝜆𝐿
∆𝑦 =
𝑑
Hence, the bright and dark fringes are of equal width and equally spaced. The fringe spacing varies directly with
distance L between the slits and screen, and inversely with separation d between the slits. The formula for the fringe
spacing can be used for the determination of the wavelength.
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Interference in thin film
A thin film is a transparent medium whose thickness is comparable with the wavelength of light. Brilliant and
beautiful colours in soap bubbles and oil film on the surface of water are due to interference of light reflected from
two surfaces of the film.
Explanation:
Consider a thin film of a refracting medium. A beam AB of monochromatic light of wavelength 𝜆 is incident on its
upper surface. It is partly reflected along BC and partly refracted into the medium along BD. At D it is again partly
reflected inside the medium along DE and then at E refracted along EF as shown in fig.

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The beams BC and EF, being the parts of the same primary beam have a phase
coherence. As the film is thin so the separation between BC and EF will be very
small, and they will superpose and the result of their interference will be detected
by the eye. It can be seen in fig that the original beam splits into two parts BC and
EF due to thin film enter the eye after covering different lengths of paths. Their
path difference depends upon
(i) Thickness of the film
(ii) Angle of incidence
If the two reflected beams reinforce each other, then the film as seen with the help
of a parallel beam of monochromatic light will look bright. However, if the
thickness of the film and angle of incidence are such that the two reflected waves
cancel each other, the film will look dark.
What happens if white light is incident on a thin film?
If white light is incident on a film of irregular thickness at all possible angles, we
should consider the interference pattern due to each spectral colour separately. It is
quite possible that at a certain place on the film, its thickness and the angle of
incidence of light are such that the condition of destructive interference of one
colour is being satisfied. Hence that portion of the film will exhibit the remaining
constituent colours of the white light.

Newton’s rings
Newton’s rings are circular fringes formed due to interference in a thin air film enclosed between a convex lens and a
flat glass plate.
Or
A pattern of bright and dark rings with centre as a dark spot is called Newton rings.
Experimental arrangement
A monochromatic source S is placed at the
focal point of a convex lens which makes the
monochromatic light parallel. These parallel
light beams fall on a semi-silvered glass plate
G which partially transmit it and partially
reflects it. The reflected light is focused on a
plano-convex lens of long focal length placed
on a plane glass plate. An air film of non-
uniform thickness is trapped between glass
plate and plano-convex lens.
Air Film
A thin air film is enclosed between the upper
surface of the glass plate and the lower surface of the lens. The thickness of the air film is almost zero at the point of
contact O and it gradually increases as one proceeds towards the periphery of the lens. Thus, the points where the
thickness of air film is zero will appear as a central dark spot.
Explanation:
Any Ray of monochromatic light that strikes the upper surface of the air film normally is partly reflected and partly
refracted. The refracted ray is again partly reflected through the lower part of the air film. The two reflected rays
produced due to the reflection of upper and lower surface of the air film will interfere constructively or destructively.
When the light reflected light is observed through a microscope M and which is focused on the glass plate forms a
series of dark and bright rings with Centre O.

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Why the centre of Newton’s rings is dark?

At the point of contact of the lens and the glass plate, the thickness of the film is effectively zero but due to reflection
𝜆
at the lower surface of the air film (denser medium) an additional path difference of 2
is introduced. Consequently the
centre of the Newton's rings is dark due to destructive interference.

Q.2 What is Michelson’s interferometer? Explain its working.

Michelson’s interferometer
Michelson’s interferometer is an instrument that can be used to measure distance
with extremely high precision. Albert A Michelson devised this instrument in 1881
using the idea of interference of light rays.
Monochromatic light from an extended source falls on a half silvered glass plate G 1
that partially reflects it and partially transmits it. The reflected portion labelled as I
in the figure travels a distance L1 to mirror M1, which reflects the beam back
towards G1.
The half silvered plate G1 partially transmits this portion that finally arrives at the
observer’s eye. The transmitted portion of the original beam labelled as II, travels a
distance L2 to mirror M2 which reflects the beam back toward G1. The beam II
partially reflected by G1 also arrives the observer’s eye finally. The plate G2 cut from the same piece of glass as G1, is
introduced in the path of beam II as a compensator glass plate which equalizes the path lengths. Thus the two beams
having different paths are coherent and produce interference when they arrives at the observer’s eye.
In a practical interferometer, the mirror M1 can be moved along the direction perpendicular to its surface by means of
a precision screw as the length L1 is changed, the pattern of interference fringes is observed to shift if M1 is displaced
𝜆
through a distance equal to , a path difference of double of this displacement is
2
produced i.e., equal to 𝜆. Thus a fringe is seen shifted forward across the line of
reference of cross wire in the eyepiece of the telescope used to view the fringes. A
𝜆
fringe is shifted each time the mirror is displaced through 2. Hence by counting the
number m of the fringes which are shifted by displacement L of the mirror, we can
write the equation
𝜆
𝐿=𝑚
2
Uses:
Michelson measured the length of standard meter in terms of the wavelength of red
Cadmium light and showed that the standard meter was equivalent to 1,553,163.5
wavelengths of this light.
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Diffraction of light
The property of bending of light from the edges of an obstacle is called diffraction.
Or
The property of bending of light around obstacles and spreading of light waves into the geometrical shadow of an
obstacle is called diffraction.

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Diffraction condition
Diffraction is prominent when the size of the obstacle or aperture of the slit is so small that it is comparable with the
wavelength of light.
The diffraction of light occurs in effect due to the interference between rays coming from different parts of the same
wavefront.
 Diffraction is a special type of interference.
Diffraction due to a narrow slit
Phenomena of bending of a light wave from a coherent source (such as
a laser) from a narrow slit comparable in size to its wavelength is
called diffraction due to narrow slit.
Experimental Arrangement
Fig shows the experimental arrangement for studying diffraction of
light due to a narrow slit. The slit AB of width d is illuminated by a
parallel beam of monochromatic light of wavelength 𝜆. The screen S is
placed parallel to the slit for observing the effects of the diffraction of
light.
Observation
A small portion of the incident wavefront passes through the narrow
slit. Each point of this section of the wavefront sends out secondary wavelets to the screen. These wavelets then
interfere to produce the diffraction pattern.
The region between any two consecutive minima both above and below O will be bright. A narrow slit, therefore
produces series of bright and dark regions with the first bright region at the centre of the pattern.

Explanation
It becomes simple to deal with rays instead of wave-fronts as shown in the figure.
In this figure, only nine rays have been drawn where as actually there are a large
number of them. Let us consider rays 1 and 5 which are in phase when in the
wavefront AB. After these reach the wavefront AC, ray 5 would have a path
𝜆
difference ab equal to 2. Thus when these two days reach point P on the screen;
they will interfere destructively. Similarly each pair 2 and 6, 3 and 7, 4 and 8
𝜆
differ in part by 2 and will do the same. For the pairs of rays the path difference
𝑑
ab = sin 𝜃.
2
First Minima
The equation for the first minimum is, then
𝑑 𝜆
sin 𝜃 =
2 2
𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝜆
General equation for minima
In general, the conditions for different orders of minima on either side of centre are given by
𝑑 sin 𝜃 = 𝑚 𝜆
Where 𝑚 = 0, ±1, ±2, ±3, . . ..

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Comparison between Interference and Diffraction

Interference Diffraction
• Interference of light is the superposition of • Diffraction is the bending of light around
two or more light waves of same frequency obstacles and spreading of light wave into the
and wavelength travelling in the same geometrical shadow of obstacle
direction. • Diffraction fringes are not equally spaced
• Interference fringes are equally spaced. • All maxima are not of the same intensity in
• All maxima are of same intensity in diffraction pattern(Central Maxima is
interference fringe pattern brightest)
• The points of minimum intensity are perfectly • The points of minimum intensity are not
dark in interference perfectly dark in diffraction.
Diffraction grating
A diffraction grating is a glass plate having a large number of close parallel equidistant
slits mechanically ruled on it. The transparent spacing between the scratches on the
glass plate act as slits. A typical diffraction grating has about 400 to 5000 lines per
centimeter.

Grating element “d”

The distance between two adjacent slits is d called grating element. Its value is obtained by dividing the length L of
the grating by the total number N of the lines ruled on it.
𝐿
𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝑑 =
𝑁
Where L is the length of the grating and N is the total number of lines ruled on the grating.
Principle
Diffraction grating works on the Huygen’s principle and phenomenon of interference of
light.
Explanation
A parallel beam of monochromatic light falls normally on a diffraction grating. The parts of
the wavefront that pass through the slits behave as a source of secondary wavelets
according to Huygen’s principle. The fine rulings each
The rays are brought to focus at “P” by a convex lens. If path difference between the rays 1 0.5𝜇𝑚 wide on a compact
and 2 is one wavelength “𝜆”, they will reinforce each other at “P”. As the incident beam is disc function as a
parallel so the rays from any two adjacent slits will differ in path by “𝜆”. They will interfere diffraction grating. When a
constructively small source of white light
illuminates a disc, the
𝑎𝑏 = 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝜆
diffracted light forms
𝑎𝑏 = 𝜆 coloured ‘lanes’ that are
In figure composite of the
𝑎𝑏 diffraction patterns from
= sin 𝜃
𝑑 the rulings
𝑎𝑏 = 𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝜆
Zero order image
When 𝜃 = 0, path difference between the coming out of the slits of the grating will be zero. So we will get a bright
image. This is known as zero order image.

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First order image

If we increase “𝜃” on either side of “AB” at a certain angle “d sin 𝜃” will be equal to “𝜆” and we will again get a
bright image, this is called 1st order image.
Higher Order
Similarly by increasing “𝜃” we will get 2nd, 3rd order image on either side of zero order image, thus general equation
for diffraction is
𝑑 sin 𝜃 = 𝑛 𝜆
Where n = 0, ±1, ±2, ±3, . ..
In the formula “𝑑 sin 𝜃 = 𝑛 𝜆” , “𝜃” is different for different wavelength

Q. What is Bragg’s law? Explain briefly.

Diffraction of x-rays by crystal
X-ray is type of electromagnetic radiations of much shorter wavelength, of the order of 10-10m.
Condition for detectable interference
In order to observe the effect of diffraction, the grating spacing must be of the order of the wavelength of the radiation
use. The regular array of atoms in a crystal forms a natural diffraction grating.
Bragg’s law
The study of atomic structure of crystal by x-rays was initiated in 1914 by
W.H. Bragg and W.L. Bragg with remarkable achievements. They found that a
monochromatic beam of x-rays was reflected from a crystal plane as if it acted
like mirror. To understand this effect, a series of atomic plane of constant
inter-planer spacing ‘d’ parallel to a crystal face are shown by lines PP’. P 1P1’
P2P2’ shown in figure and so on.
Bragg’s Equation
Suppose an x-ray beam is incident at an angle 𝜃 on one of the planes. The
beam reflected from the lower plane travels some extra distance (BC+ 𝐶𝐵′) as
compare to the beam reflected from the upper plane. Thus effective path
difference between the two reflected beams is (BC+ 𝐶𝐵′).
From triangle ABC, we have

𝐵𝐶
= 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝐴𝐶

OR BC = 𝐴𝐶 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃

OR BC = 𝑑 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 ∴ (𝐴𝐶 = 𝑑)
Similarly from triangle ACB’ we have
𝐶𝐵′
𝐴𝐶
= Sin𝜃
′
OR 𝐶𝐵 = 𝐴𝐶 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃
OR 𝐶𝐵′ = 𝑑 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃
Thus, path difference = 𝐵𝐶 + 𝐶𝐵′
= 𝑑 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 + 𝑑 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃
path difference = 2𝑑𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 … . . . (1)
For both reflected beams both will reinforce each other the path difference is an integral multiple of wavelength.
𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 𝑛𝜆…..(2)

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Comparing (1) and (2) we get.

2𝑑𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑛 = 1, 2, 3, …
Where n is order of diffraction. This is known as Bragg’s equation.
𝑼𝒔𝒆𝒔:
1. Bragg’s Equation can be used to determine the inter-planar spacing between similar parallel planes of crystal
if x ray of known wavelength is diffract from the crystals.
2. X-rays diffraction is very useful in determining the structure of biologically important molecules such as
hemoglobin, which is an important constituent of blood, and double helix structure of DNA.
2𝑑𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃
3. Bragg’s equation can be used to determine the wavelength of light (𝑖. 𝑒. 𝜆 = 𝑛
)

Polarization
Un-polarized light: A beam of ordinary light consisting of large
number of planes of vibration, vibrating in all directions perpendicular
to the direction of propagation is called un-polarized light. e.g, light
from incandescent bulb.

Polarized light: If the vibrations of light is confined in only in one

plane, the light is said to be polarized light.

Production and detection of plane polarized light

An ordinary incandescent lamp emits un-polarized light as does the

sun because its electrical vibrations are randomly oriented in space.

It is possible to obtain plane polarized beam of light from un-polarized light by removing all waves from the beam
except those having vibrations along one particular direction. This can be achieved by various methods as given
below.
Only transverse can
(1) Selective absorption be polarized,
(2) Reflection from different surfaces Longitudinal waves
cannot be polarized
(3) Scattering by small particles
(4) Refraction through crystals

1. Selective absorption method: This is the most common method by which a plane polarized light can be obtained
by using certain types of materials called dichroic substances. These materials transmit only those waves whose
vibrations are parallel to particular direction and will absorb those waves whose vibrations are in other directions.
One such commercial polarizing material is a Polaroid.
2. Reflection from different surfaces: Reflection of light from water, snow and rough road surfaces for longer
angles of incidences produces glare since the reflected light is partially polarized, glare can be considerably be
reduced by using polaroid sunglasses.
3. Scattering by small particles: Sunlight also becomes partially polarized because of scattering by air molecules
of the earth’s atmosphere. This effect can be observed by looking directly up through pair of sunglasses made of
polarizing glass. At certain orientations of the lenses less light passes than the others.

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 Page no. 11

4. Refraction through crystals: Certain crystals and liquids when placed between Polaroid, rotate the plane of
polarization of light. Quartz and sodium chlorate crystals are typical examples, which are termed as optically
active crystals.
A few millimeter thickness of such crystals will rotate the
plane of polarization by many degrees.
Certain organic substances such as sugar tartaric acid show optical rotation when
they are in solution. This property of optically active substances can be used to
determine their concentration in the solutions.

How we Differentiate between polarized and un-polarized light?

If un-polarized light is made incident on a sheet of polaroid, the transmitted light will
be plane polarized. If a second polaroid is placed parallel to axis of first sheet the
light is transmitted through the second polaroid.

If the second polaroid is rotated with respect to first polaroid, then the light emerging out of second polaroid
becomes dimmer and dimmer and disappears when axes of both polaroid becomes mutually perpendicular to each
other. The light reappears on further rotation and becomes brightest when the axes are again parallel to each others.

This experiment proves that light waves are transverse if light waves were longitudinal they would never disappear if
two polaroid were mutually perpendicular.

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 Page no. 1
Exercise Short Questions (Chapter - 09) Intermediate part-I
9.1 Under what conditions two or more sources of light behave as coherent sources?
Ans: Two or more sources behave as coherent source if they are monochromatic sources and have no
phase difference between them. Thus two or more sources of light are said to be coherent if they send
crests or troughs at the same instant of time (i.e. have no phase difference).Practically it is achieved by
splitting a monochromatic source into two secondary sources.
-------------------------------------------
9.2 How is the distance between interference fringes affected by the separation between the slits of
Young’s experiment? Can fringes disappear?
Ans: Distance between interference fringes is inversely proportional to the slit separation.
As slit separation is
𝜆𝐿
∆𝑌 =
𝑑
1
∆𝑌 ∝
𝑑
It is clear from the relation that if the separation between slits is decreased then the distance between fringes
increases and if the separation between slits is increased then the distance between fringes is decreased.
Fringes disappear:
Yes, the fringes can disappear by increasing the distance between the slits. If d is made very large fringes
become so close that they disappear.
𝑑→∞
1
∆𝑌 = = 0
∞
-------------------------------------------
9.3 Can visible light produce interference fringes? Explain
Ans: Yes, visible light can produce interference fringes.
If visible light is white light then each wavelength will produce its own interference pattern and hence
the fringe pattern will be overlapped and cannot be observed with eyes due to random emission of light. If
the visible light is monochromatic and coherent then the fringe pattern is clear i.e. bright and dark fringes are
formed thus interference of light can be detected by the eye.
-------------------------------------------
9.4 In the Young’s double slit experiment, one of the slits is covered with blue filter and other with red
filter. What would be the pattern of light intensity on the screen?
Ans: No interference pattern would be observed on the screen, only the mixed light is seen on the screen.
Reason: The condition for the detectable interference is that beams must be monochromatic and phase
coherent. As blue and red lights have different wavelengths, hence no interference pattern will be
observed, only a mixture of two colors is seen on the screen.
-------------------------------------------
9.5 Explain whether the Young’s experiment is an experiment for studying interference or diffraction
effects of light.
Ans: Young’s double slit experiment was performed to study the interference of light, but the diffraction can
also be occurred at the edges of slits because when light passes through the slits it bends from the edges of
slits. As in Young's experiment separation between slits is very large (of the order of millimeter) so
diffraction is not observable by any of its effects, only interference can be observed. If separation between
slits is small (of the order of micro-meter) then diffraction effects is also observable. Thus Young's
experiment is mainly used to study interference of light.
-------------------------------------------

Furqan ali (Physics Department, aspire group of colleges)

 Page no. 2
Exercise Short Questions (Chapter - 09) Intermediate part-I
9.6 An oil film spreading over a wet footpath shows colors. Explain how does it happen?
Ans: An oil film spreading over a wet footpath show colors due to interference of light.
Reason: When monochromatic light is incident on oil film, a part of it is reflected from the upper surface and
other part is reflected from the lower surface. The two reflected beams are monochromatic and coherent so they
produce interference.
As sunlight consists of seven colors and each refracts differently. At some places some colors exhibit
destructive interference, so these colors are absent and film will show the remaining constructive colors at that
point. Hence different colors interfere at different points, so wet footpath show colors
-------------------------------------------
9.7 Could you obtain Newton’s rings with transmitted light? If yes, would the pattern be different from
that obtained with reflected light?
Ans: Yes, it is possible to obtain Newton’s ring with the transmitted light. The only difference
will be that central point will be bright by transmitted light because there is no destructive
interference at center. Thus the pattern observed with transmitted light will be opposite to
the reflected light.
-------------------------------------------
9.8 In the white light spectrum obtained with a diffraction grating, the third order image of a
wavelength coincides with the fourth order image of a second wavelength. Calculate the ratio of the
two wavelengths.
Ans: As for the diffraction grating
𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑚𝜆
For third order image of first wavelength
𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 3𝜆1 − − − −(𝑖)
For forth order image of second wavelength
𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 4𝜆2 − −(𝑖𝑖)
Dividing equation (i) and equation (ii)
𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 3𝜆1
=
𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 4𝜆2
3𝜆1
1=
4𝜆2
𝜆1 4
=
𝜆2 3
𝜆1 : 𝜆2 = 4: 3
Hence the ratio of two wavelengths is 4/3.
-------------------------------------------
9.9 How would you manage to get more orders of spectra using a diffraction grating?
Ans: The formula for diffraction grating is
𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆
𝑑𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑛=
𝜆
𝑛∝𝑑
𝑛 ∝ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
For maximum value of n, 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ≈ 1 𝑖. 𝑒. 𝜃 = 90𝑜
1
𝑛∝
𝜆
For maximum order of diffraction following conditions must be fulfilled.
• Angle 𝜃 must be 90𝑜
• 𝜆 should be decreased

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 Page no. 3
Exercise Short Questions (Chapter - 09) Intermediate part-I
• Number of lines on grating must be decreased (i.e. separation between slits increases).
-------------------------------------------
9.10 Why the Polaroid sunglasses are better than ordinary sunglasses?
Ans: The Polaroid sunglasses reduce the intensity of light passing through them, due to which the glare of
light is decreased. That’s why they are better than the ordinary sunglasses. As the intensity of light is
reduced so Polaroid sunglasses protect the eyes from bright rays of sun light and blocks the scattered light
which enters the eye at larger angles.
-------------------------------------------
9.11 How would you distinguish between un-polarized and plane-polarized lights?
Ans: The un-polarized and plane-polarized light can be distinguished by using a polarizer. If a polarizer is
rotated in front of an incident un-polarized light a component of light will pass through the polarizer in each
orientation. Thus light can never disappear on rotation. In case of polarized light on rotating the polarizer at
900, no light will pass through it. In this way un-polarized and plane-polarized light can be distinguished by
using a polarizer.
-------------------------------------------

Furqan ali (Physics Department, aspire group of colleges)

 Numericals & Examples Chapter-9 1

9.1: Light of wavelength 546 𝑛𝑚 is allowed to illuminate Solution:

the slits of Young’s experiment. The separation between As formula for maxima is
the slits is 0.10 𝑚𝑚 and the distance of screen from slits 𝜆𝐿
∆𝑦 =
where the interference effects are observed is 20 𝑐𝑚. At 𝑑
∆𝑦𝑑
what angle first minimum will fall? What will be the 𝜆=
linear distance on the screen between adjacent maxima? 𝐿
Putting values, we get
Given Data:
2.40 × 10−3 × 0.5 × 10−3
Wavelength of light = 𝜆 = 546 𝑛𝑚 = 546 × 10−9 𝑚 𝜆=
200 × 10−2
Slit separation = 𝑑 = 0.10 𝑚𝑚 = 0.10 × 10−3 𝑚
𝜆 = 0.6 × 10−6 𝑚
Distance of the screen from the slits= 𝐿 = 20 𝑐𝑚
𝜆 = 600 × 10−9 𝑚
𝐿 = 20 × 10−2 𝑚
Angle for first minimum = 𝜃 = ? 𝜆 = 600 𝑛𝑚
Fringe spacing = ∆𝑦 = ?
Solution:
9.3: In a double slit experiment the second order
As formula for minima is
1 maximum occurs at 𝜃 = 0.25𝑜 . The wavelength is
𝑑 sin 𝜃 = (𝑚 + ) 𝜆 650 𝑛𝑚. Determine the slit separation.
2
For first minimum. Put 𝑚=0 Given Data:
𝜆 For second order maximum, put 𝑚=2
sin 𝜃 = Angle = 𝜃 = 0.25 𝑜
2𝑑
Putting values, we get Wavelength of light= 𝜆 = 650 𝑛𝑚 = 650 × 10−9 𝑚
546 × 10−9 Slit separation = 𝑑 =?
sin 𝜃 = Solution:
2 × 0.10 × 10−3
sin 𝜃 = 0.00273 As formula for maxima is
𝜃 = sin−1(0.00273) 𝑑 sin 𝜃 = 𝑚 𝜆
𝜃 = 0.16𝑜 𝑚𝜆
𝑑=
For fringe spacing, us formula sin 𝜃
𝜆𝐿 Putting values, we get
∆𝑦 = 2 × 650 × 10−9
𝑑 𝑑=
Putting values, we get sin( 0.25𝑜 )
546 × 10−9 × 20 × 10−2
∆𝑦 =
0.10 × 10−3 𝑑 = 2.979 × 10−4 𝑚
∆𝑦 = 1.092 × 10−3 𝑚 𝑑 = 0.3 × 10−3 𝑚
∆𝑦 = 1.092 𝑚𝑚 𝑑 = 0.3 𝑚𝑚
∆𝑦 = 1.1 𝑚𝑚
9.2: Calculate the wavelength of light, which illuminates 9.4: A monochromatic light of λ = 588 nm is allowed to
two slits 0.5 𝑚𝑚 apart and produces on interference fall on the half silvered glass plate G1 in Michelson
pattern on the screen, placed 200 𝑐𝑚 away from the slits. interferometer. If mirror M1 is moved through
The first bright image is observed at the distance of 0.233 𝑚𝑚, how many fringes will be observed on the
2.40 𝑚𝑚 from the central bright image. shift?
Given Data: Given Data:
Slit separation = 𝑑 = 0.5 𝑚𝑚 = 0.5 × 10−3 𝑚 Wavelength of light= 𝜆 = 588 𝑛𝑚 = 588 × 10−9 𝑚
Distance of the screen from the slits= 𝐿 = 200 𝑐𝑚 Distance moved by mirror 𝑀1
𝐿 = 200 × 10−2 𝑚 = 𝐿 = 0.233 𝑚𝑚 = 0.233 × 10−3 𝑚
Width of dark fringe = ∆𝑦 = 2.40 𝑚𝑚 = 2.40 × 10−3 𝑚 Number of fringes shifted = 𝑚 =?
Wavelength of light = 𝜆 =?

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 Numericals & Examples Chapter-9 2

Solution: Given Data:

As for Michelson interferometer, the expression is Number of lines on grating
𝜆 = 𝑁 = 2500 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑚
𝐿 = 𝑚( )
2 = 𝑁 = 250000 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚
Angle of diffraction = 𝜃 = 15𝑜
2𝐿
𝑚= Order of spectrum = 𝑛 = 2
𝜆
Putting values, we get Wavelength of light= 𝜆 =?
Solution:
2 × 0.233 × 10−3 As for diffraction grating, the grating equation is
𝑚= 𝑑 sin 𝜃 = 𝑛 𝜆
588 × 10−9
1
𝑚 = 792 And 𝑑=𝑁 So
sin 𝜃
𝜆=
9.5: A second order spectrum is formed at an angle of 𝑁×𝑛
38𝑜 when the light falls normally on a diffraction grating Putting values, we get
having 5400 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟. Determine the sin(15𝑜 )
𝜆=
wavelength of light used. 250000 × 2
Given Data:
Angle of diffraction = 𝜃 = 38𝑜 𝜆 = 5.176 × 10−7 𝑚
Number of lines on grating 𝜆 = 517.6 × 10−9 𝑚
= 𝑁 = 5400 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑚
= 𝑁 = 540000 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚 𝜆 = 518 𝑛𝑚
Order of spectrum = 𝑛 = 2
9.7: Sodium light (λ = 589 nm) is incident normally on
Wavelength of light= 𝜆 =?
a grating having 3000 lines per cm. What is the
Solution:
highest order of spectrum obtained with this grating?
As for diffraction grating, the grating equation is
Given Data:
𝑑 sin 𝜃 = 𝑛 𝜆
Wavelength of light= 𝜆 = 589 𝑛𝑚 = 589 × 10−9 𝑚
1
And 𝑑=𝑁 So Number of lines on grating
sin 𝜃 = 𝑁 = 3000 lines per cm
𝜆= = 𝑁 = 300000 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚
𝑁×𝑛
Putting values, we get Angle of diffraction = 𝜃 = 90𝑜 ,
sin(38𝑜 ) For highest order of diffraction
𝜆=
540000 × 2 Order of spectrum = 𝑛 =?
Solution:
𝜆 = 5.70 × 10−7 𝑚
As for diffraction grating, the grating equation is
𝜆 = 570 × 10−9 𝑚
𝑑 sin 𝜃 = 𝑛 𝜆

𝜆 = 570 𝑛𝑚 1
As 𝑑=𝑁 So
9.6: A light is incident normally on a grating which has sin 𝜃
𝑛=
2500 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑚. Compute the wavelength of a 𝑁×𝜆
spectral line for which the deviation in second order is
15𝑜 .

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 Numericals & Examples Chapter-9 3

Putting values, we get 𝑛𝜆

𝑜)
𝑑=
sin(90 2 sin 𝜃
𝑛= Putting values, we get
300000 × 589 × 10−9
1 × 0.150 × 10−9
𝑑=
𝑛 = 5.66 2 × sin(13.3𝑜 )
𝑑 = 0.326 × 10−9 𝑚
𝑛 = 5𝑡ℎ
𝑑 = 0.326 𝑛𝑚
9.8: Blue light of wavelength 480 𝑛𝑚 illuminates a 9.10: An X-ray beam of wavelength λ undergoes first
diffraction grating. The second order image is formed at order reflection from a crystal when its angle of incidence
an angle 30𝑜 from the central image. How to a crystal face is 26.5𝑜 , and X-ray beam of wavelength
many 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑚 of the grating have been ruled? 0.097 𝑛𝑚 undergoes a third order reflection when its angle
Given Data: of incidence to that face is 60𝑜 . Assuming that two beams
Wavelength of light= 𝜆 = 480 𝑛𝑚 = 480 × 10−9 𝑚 reflects from the same family of planes, calculate (𝑎) The
Order of spectrum = 𝑛 = 2 inter planar spacing of the planes, (𝑏) the Wavelength λ.
Angle of diffraction = 𝜃 = 30𝑜 Given Data:
Number of lines per cm = 𝑁 =? For first wavelength 𝜆1
Solution: Angle of incidence = 𝜃1 = 26.5𝑜
As for diffraction grating, the grating equation is Order of reflection = 𝑛1 = 1
For second wavelength 𝜆2
𝑑 sin 𝜃 = 𝑛 𝜆 Wavelength of 𝑋 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠 beam = 𝜆2 = 0.097 𝑛𝑚
𝜆2 = 0.097 × 10−9 𝑚
1
And 𝑑=𝑁 So Order of reflection = 𝑛2 = 3
1 Angle of incidence = 𝜃2 = 60𝑜
× sin 𝜃 = 𝑛 𝜆
𝑁 inter planar spacing = 𝑑 =?
sin 𝜃 Wavelength of 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 beam = 𝜆1 =?
=𝑁
𝑛𝜆 Solution:
Putting values, we get (𝑎) Using Bragg’s equation for 2nd wavelength
sin(30𝑜 ) 2𝑑 sin 𝜃2 = 𝑛2 𝜆2
𝑁=
2 × 480 × 10−9 𝑛2 𝜆 2
𝑑=
2sin 𝜃2
𝑁 = 5.2 × 105 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟
Putting values, we get
𝑁 = 5.2 × 103 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑚
3 × 0.097 × 10−9
9.9: X-rays of wavelength 0.150 𝑛𝑚 are observed to 𝑑=
2 × sin(60𝑜 )
undergo a first order reflection at a Bragg’s angle of 𝑑 = 0.168 × 10−9 𝑚
13.3𝑜 from quartz (SiO2) crystal. What is inter planar 𝑑 = 0.168 𝑛𝑚
spacing of the reflecting planes in the crystal? (𝑏)
Given Data: Using Bragg’s equation for 1st wavelength
Wavelength of 𝑋 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠 = 𝜆 = 0.150 𝑛𝑚 2𝑑 sin 𝜃1 = 𝑛1 𝜆1
𝜆 = 0.150 × 10−9 𝑚
Order of reflection = 𝑛 = 1 2𝑑 sin 𝜃1
Bragg’s angle = 𝜃 = 13.3𝑜 𝜆1 =
𝑛1
inter planar spacing = 𝑑 =? Putting values, we get
Solution:
Using Bragg’s equation
2𝑑 sin 𝜃 = 𝑛 𝜆

Furqan ali (lecturer aspire group of colleges)

 Numericals & Examples Chapter-9 4

2 × 0.168 × 10−9 × sin(26.5𝑜 )

𝜆1 =
1

𝜆1 = 0.149 × 10−9 𝑚

𝜆1 = 0.149 𝑛𝑚

𝜆1 = 0.15 𝑛𝑚

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 Numericals & Examples Chapter-9 5

Example 9.1: The distance between the slits in Young’s Putting values, we get
double slit experiment is 0.25 𝑐𝑚. Interference fringes are 589 × 10−9 × 225 × 10−2
∆𝑦 =
formed on a screen placed at a distance of 100 𝑐𝑚 from the 1.0 × 10−3
slits. The distance of the 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑑 dark fringe from the central ∆𝑦 = 1.33 × 10−3 𝑚
bright fringe is 0.059 𝑐𝑚. Find the wavelength of the ∆𝑦 = 1.33 𝑚𝑚
incident light. ∆𝑦 = 1.3 𝑚𝑚
Given Data: Example 9.3: Light of wavelength 450 𝑛𝑚 is incident on a
Slit separation = 𝑑 = 0.25 𝑚𝑚 = 0.25 × 10−2 𝑚 diffraction grating on which 5000 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠/𝑐𝑚 have been
Distance of the screen from the slits= 𝐿 = 100 𝑐𝑚 ruled.
𝐿 = 100 × 10−2 𝑚
(i) How many orders of spectra can be observed on
Distance of the third dark fringe = 𝑦 = 0.059 𝑐𝑚
either side of the direct beam?
𝑦 = 0.059 × 10−2 𝑚
(ii) Determine the angle corresponding to each other.
For the third dark fringe 𝑚 = 2
Wavelength of light = 𝜆 =? Given Data:
Solution: Wavelength of light= 𝜆 = 450 𝑛𝑚 = 450 × 10−9 𝑚
As formula for dark fringes Number of lines on grating
1 𝜆𝐿 = 𝑁 = 5000 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑚 = 5000 × 102 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠/𝑚
𝑦 = (𝑚 + )
2 𝑑 (i) Order of spectrum = 𝑛 =? For 𝜃 = 90𝑜
𝑦𝑑
=𝜆 (ii) Angle of diffraction with each other = 𝜃 =?
1
(𝑚 + 2) 𝐿 Solution:
(𝑖) As for diffraction grating, the grating equation is
Putting values, we get 𝑑 sin 𝜃 = 𝑛 𝜆
0.059 × 10−2 × 0.25 × 10−2 As
𝜆= 1
1 𝑑=
(2 + 2) × 100 × 10−2 𝑁
So
𝜆 = 590 × 10−9 𝑚 1
× sin 𝜃 = 𝑛 𝜆
𝑁
𝜆 = 590 𝑛𝑚 sin 𝜃
𝑛=
Example 9.2: Yellow sodium light of wavelength 589 𝑛𝑚, 𝑁×𝜆
Putting values, we get
emitted by a single source passes through two narrow slits
sin(90𝑜 )
1.0 𝑚𝑚 apart. The interference pattern is observed on a 𝑛=
500000 × 450 × 10−9
screen 225 𝑐𝑚 away. How far apart are two adjacent bright
fringes? 𝑛 = 4.4
Given Data:
Wavelength of light = 𝜆 = 589 𝑛𝑚 = 546 × 10−9 𝑚
𝑛 = 4𝑡ℎ
Slit separation = 𝑑 = 1.0 𝑚𝑚 = 1.0 × 10−3 𝑚
Distance of the screen from the slits= 𝐿 = 225 𝑐𝑚 (𝑖𝑖) To find Angle of diffraction with each other
−2 1
𝐿 = 225 × 10 𝑚
× sin 𝜃 = 𝑛 𝜆
Distance between adjacent bright fringes 𝑁
= Fringe spacing = ∆𝑦 = ? sin 𝜃 = 𝑁 × 𝑛 × 𝜆
Solution: 𝜃 = sin−1 (𝑁 × 𝑛 × 𝜆)
For fringe spacing, us formula For First order spectrum, Put 𝑛 = 1
𝜆𝐿 𝜃 = sin−1 (500000 × 1 × 450 × 10−9 )
∆𝑦 =
𝑑 𝜃 = sin−1(0.225)
𝜃 = 13𝑜

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 Numericals & Examples Chapter-9 6

For Second order spectrum, Put 𝑛 = 2

𝜃 = sin−1 (500000 × 2 × 450 × 10−9 )
𝜃 = sin−1(0.45)
𝜃 = 26.7𝑜

For Third order spectrum, Put 𝑛 = 3

𝜃 = sin−1 (500000 × 3 × 450 × 10−9 )
𝜃 = sin−1(0.675)
𝜃 = 42.5𝑜

For Second order spectrum, Put 𝑛 = 2

𝜃 = sin−1 (500000 × 4 × 450 × 10−9 )
𝜃 = sin−1 (0.9)
𝜃 = 62.2𝑜

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 Multiple choice questions (Chapter - 09) Intermediate part-I
1) The blue color of sky is due to
(a) Scattering (b) Polarization (c) Interference (d) Diffraction
2) The equation 2𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆 denotes
(a) Huygens principle (b) Bragg’s equation
(c) Young’s double slit equation (d) Diffraction grating equation
3) A line normal to the wave front including the direction of motion is called
(a) Wave (b) Pulse (c) Ray (d) None of these
4) In Young’s double slit experiment, the fringe spacing is equal to
2𝜆 𝜆𝐿 𝑑 𝜆𝑑
(a) 𝐷
(b) 𝑑
(c) 𝜆𝐷
(d) 𝐷
5) The path difference for the constructive interference should be
𝜆 5𝜆 3𝜆 (d) 𝑑 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑚𝜆
(a) 𝑑 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 2 (b) 𝑑 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 2
(c) 𝑑 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 2
6) When Newton’s rings are observed with reflected light, the central spot is
(a) Red (b) Dark (c) Blue (d) Bright
7) When sunlight passes through the atmosphere, its total energy reduces due to
(a) Reflection of dust particles (b) Scattering by dust particles
(c) Absorption by dust particles (d) All of these
8) Phase angle of 180𝑜 is equal to the path difference of
𝜆 𝜆 (c) 2𝜆 (d) 𝜆
(a) 2
(b) 4
9) Bending of light around the edges of an obstacle is called
(a) Refraction (b) Diffraction (c) Reflection (d) Interference
10) Which phenomenon of light proves that light is a transverse wave
(a) Polarization (b) Reflection (c) Interference (d) Diffraction
11) Newton’s rings are formed as a result of
(a) Polarization (b) Reflection (c) Interference (d) Diffraction
12) The distance between two consecutive wave fronts is called
(a) Time period (b) Wavelength (c) Frequency (d) Displacement
13) Two light waves which are not coherent cannot produce observable
(a) Interference (b) Polarization in same plane
(c) Diffraction (d) Return back
14) Effective path difference between two reflected beams, in X-rays diffraction by crystals
(a) 2𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝜃 (c) 𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 (d) 𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
(b) 𝑑 sin 2
15) Longitudinal wave do not exhibit
(a) Polarization (b) Reflection (c) Interference (d) Diffraction
16) Which characteristic of light is evident from polarization of light?
(a) Wave nature (b) Dual nature
(c) Particle nature (d) Light waves are transverse
17) The equation of Michelson’s interferometer is
𝜆 𝜆 (c) 𝐿 = 𝑚𝜆 (d) 𝐿 = 2𝑚𝜆
(a) 𝐿 = 𝑚 2
(b) 𝐿 = 𝑚 4
18) The distance between two adjacent dark fringes is given by
𝑚𝜆𝐿 𝜆𝐿 1 𝜆𝐿 𝜆𝑑
(a) ∆𝑦 = 𝑑
(b) ∆𝑦 = 𝑑
(c) ∆𝑦 = (𝑚 + 2) 𝑑 (d) ∆𝑦 = 𝐿
19) When one mirror of Michelson interferometer is moved a distance of 0.5 𝑚𝑚, 2000 fringes are
observed. The wavelength of light used is
(a) 5000 𝑛𝑚 (b) 500 𝑐𝑚 (c) 500 𝑛𝑚 (d) 2000 𝑐𝑚

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 Multiple choice questions (Chapter - 09) Intermediate part-I
20) A surface on which all the points have same phase of vibration is known as
(a) Crest (b) Trough (c) Wavefront (d) Wavelength
21) An oil film on water surface shows color due to
(a) Dispersion (b) Diffraction (c) Polarization (d) Interference
22) The bending of beam of light when it passes from one medium to another is known as
(a) Refraction (b) Diffraction (c) Reflection (d) Dispersion
23) The wavelength of x-ray is the order of
(a) 100 × 10−10 𝑚 (b) 1 × 10−10 𝑚
(c) 102 × 10−10 𝑚 (d) 𝑁𝑜𝑛𝑒
24) The theory of wave nature of light is proposed by
(a) Thomas Young (b) Maxwell (c) Huygens (d) Fresnel
25) The medium in which speed of light is the same in all directions is called
(a) Solid medium (b) Non-Homogenous
(c) Heterogeneous (d) Free space
26) One angstrom Å is equal to
(a) 10−9 𝑚 (b) (c) 10−8 𝑚 (d) 10−11 𝑚
27) Michelson’s interferometer is an instrument to measure
(a) Frequency of light (b) Amplitude of light
(c) Intensity of light (d) wavelength of light
28) Light reaches from the sun to earth in the form of
(a) Spherical wave front (b) Cylindrical wave front
(c) Plane wave front (d) Circular wave front
29) A typical diffraction grating has certain number of lines per centimeter whose range is
(a) 40 𝑡𝑜 50 (b) 400 𝑡𝑜 5000 (c) 400 𝑡𝑜 500 (d) 4000 𝑡𝑜 5000
30) All wave fronts are concentric
(a) Circles (b) Squares (c) Spheres (d) Rectangles
31) Diffraction is a special type of
(a) Polarization (b) Interference (c) Reflection (d) Refraction
32) In case of point source the shape of wave front is
(a) Plane (b) Spherical (c) Circular (d) Both b & c
33) The Michelson interferometer is used to find
(a) The refractive index of light (b) The distance with very high precision
(c) The thickness of glass plate (d) Optical rotation
34) Huygens principle is used to
(a) Explain polarization (b) Find the speed of light
(c) Locate the next wave front (d) Find the index of reflection
35) When light passes through a pinhole type opening, it seems to spread out. This phenomenon is
known as
(a) Polarization (b) Diffraction (c) Reflection (d) Dispersion
36) The phase difference between two points on wave front is
𝜋 𝜋
(a) 0 (b) (c) (d) 𝜋
4 2
37) In young’s double slit experiment, the position of dark fringes is given by
𝑚𝜆𝐿 𝑚𝜆𝑑
(a) 𝑦𝑚 = 𝑑
(b) 𝑦𝑚 = 𝐿
1 𝜆𝐿 1 𝜆𝑑
(c) 𝑦𝑚 = (𝑚 + 2) 𝑑 (d) 𝑦𝑚 = (𝑚 + 2) 𝐿

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 Multiple choice questions (Chapter - 09) Intermediate part-I
38) According to the modern idea about the nature of light, light shows
(a) Wave nature only (b) Dual nature
(c) Particle nature only (d) None of these
39) What happens to the interference pattern produce by double slit arrangement by doubling the slit
spacing?
(a) Fringe spacing is double (b) Intensity increase
(c) Fringe spacing is halved (d) Fringe spacing is not changed
40) Brilliant and beautiful colors in soup bubbles are due to
(a) Diffraction of light (b) Interference of light
(c) Polarization of light (d) Reflection of light
41) If there are 3000 lines per cm represent on diffraction grating then, its grating element is
(a) 2.5 x 10 -6 m (b) 3.3 x 10 -6 m (c) 2 x 10 -6 m (d) 4.5 x 10 -6 m
42) In YDSE light of 500 nm is used if fringe width is 0.5 mm is observed on screen at 1 m, then slit
separation is:
(a) 10 -2 m (b) 10 -3 m (c) 10 -4 m (d) 10 -5 m
43) Oil film over water shows colored pattern with white light. For this, the thickness of oil film be of the
order of:
(a) 1 mm (b) 1 cm (c) 10 nm (d) 100 nm
44) In YDSE the distance between slits and screen is doubled and slit separation is halved, the fringe
width becomes:
(a) One fourth (b) Halved (c) Doubled (d) Four times
45) In EM waves, the angle between 𝐸⃗ and 𝐵 ⃗ is
(a) 30 o (b) 60 o (c) 90 o (d) 180 o
46) Commercially, the polarizing material is called
(a) Glass (b) Analyzer (c) Polaroid glass (d) Prism
47) Sodium Chloride in a flame gives out
(a) pure yellow (b) pure blue (c) blue -green (d) none
48) A ray of light travelling from rare to denser medium having the phase change of
(a) 180 (b) 90 (c) 0 (d) 360
49) The fringe spacing varies inversely with
(a) Distance between slits and screen (b) wavelength of light
(c) separation of slits (d) Both (b) and (c)
50) An Un-polarized light has vibrations in _____________ possible planes (direction)
(a) One (b) Two (c) Three (d) All

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 Multiple choice questions (Chapter - 09) Intermediate part-I

Answer key of Multiple choice questions (Chapter - 09)

1) Scattering 25) Free space

2) Bragg’s equation 26) 10−10 𝑚
3) Ray 27) Wavelength of light
𝜆𝐿 28) Plane wave front
4) 𝑑
29) 400 to 5000
5) 𝑑 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑚𝜆
30) Spheres
6) Dark
31) Interference
7) All of these
𝜆 32) Both b & c
8) 33) The distance with very high precision
2
9) Diffraction 34) Locate the next wave front
10) Polarization 35) Diffraction
11) Interference 36) 0
12) Wavelength 1 𝜆𝐿
37) 𝑦𝑚 = (𝑚 + 2) 𝑑
13) Interference
38) Dual nature
14) 2𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
39) Fringe spacing is halved
15) Polarization
40) Interference of light
16) Light waves are transvers
𝜆 41) 3.3 x 10 -6 m
17) 𝐿 = 𝑚 2 42) 10 -3 m
𝜆𝐿
18) ∆𝑦 = 43) 100 nm
𝑑
44) Four times
19) 500 𝑛𝑚
45) 90 o
20) Wavefront
21) Interference 46) Polaroid glass
47) Pure yellow
22) Refraction
48) 0
23) 1 × 10−10 𝑚
49) Distance between slits
24) Huygens
50) All

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