BISMILLAH SCIENCE ACADEMY PAPKPATTAN

CHAPTER 09 PHYSICAL OPTICS

Q.1. Define Physical optics and Light.
Ans: Physical optics: The branch of Physics which deals with study of light and its different
phenomenon is called physical optics.
Light: A type of energy which produce the sensation of vision is called light.
Q.2. What is Wave front, spherical and plane wave front? Also define ray of light.
Ans: Wave front: The surface on which all the points of waves have same phase of vibration is called
wave front. Spherical wave front: The wave front in which the light waves are propagated in spherical form
with the source is called spherical.
In 1678, a Dutch scientist Huygens proposed that light consists of wave nature.
In 1801, Young’s interference experiment proved the wave nature of light.
Plane wave front: At very large distance from the source, a small portion of spherical wave front
will becomes very nearly plane wave front. As light reaches from sun to earth.
Wavelength and ray of light: The distance b/w two consecutive wave fronts is called
wavelength.
Q.3. Define ray of light and explain how plane wave front can be obtain from point
source?
Ans: Ray of light: The line normal to wave front showing the direction of propagation of light is called
ray of light. A usual way to obtain plane wave front is to place a point source at the focus of convex lens.
Q.4. State Huygens’s principle.
Huygens’s principle is used to find shape and location of wave front. It has two parts
i. Every point of wave front may be consider as a source of secondary Wavelets which spread
out in forward direction with speed equal to speed of wave
ii. The new position and shape of the wave front after a certain interval of time can be found by
constructing a surface that touches all the secondary wavelets.
Q.5. What is Interference of light? Also define its types and condition for detection of
interferometer.
Interference of light: The phenomenon in which when two identical waves travelling in the same
direction are superimposed is called interference.
Constructive interference: If the crest of one wave falls on the crest of wave and trough of
wave fall on trough then it is called constructive interference.
Δ𝑦 = mλ , m = 0,1,2,3, … . . dsinθ = mλ
Destructive interference: If crest of one wave falls on the trough of other wave then they cancel
each other such interference is called destructive interference.
λ λ
Δ𝑦 = (2m + 1) 2 , m = 0,1,2,3, … .. dsinθ = (2m + 1) 2
1 1
Δ𝑦 = (m + 2) λ , m = 0,1,2,3, … dsinθ = ( m + 2) λ
Condition for detection of interference: Following conditions are necessary for detection
of interference. (i) Monochromatic (ii) coherent (Constant Phase difference) etc.
Q.6. What is the distance between interference fringes affected by separation between the
slits of Young’s experiment? Can fringes disappear?
Ans: By increasing the separation between slits fringe spacing is decreased and vice versa. Explanation.

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λ𝐿
The fringe spacing is given by, Δ𝑦 = 𝑑
This equation shows that the distance between fringes (Δ𝑦) is inversely proportional to the separation
between the slits (d).
Fringes can disappear
When separation between the slits is made large enough, the fringes will be so close that they cannot be
distinguished from one another and pattern will disappear.
Q.7. What is thin film? Give the factors upon which path difference of thin film depend.
Ans: Definition: A transparent medium whose thickness is very small as
comparable to the wavelength of light is called thin film.
For example,
 Oil film on the surface of water.
 Surface of soap bubble etc.
 The vivid iridescence of peacock feathers due to interference of light.
Explanation: Brilliant and beautiful colors in soap bubbles and oil film
on the Surface of water due to interference of light reflected from the Two
surfaces of the film as shown if fig.
Factors upon path difference depends: Path difference depends
upon
i. Thickness of the film
ii. Nature of the film
iii. Angle of incidence
Q.8. Write a note on Newton Rings.
Ans: Definition: Circular dark and bright fringes obtained by
Newton which are concentric circles are called Newton rings.
Explanation: When a Plano-convex lens of long focal length is
placed in contact with a plane glass plate, air film is enclosed b/w them
to form circular dark and bright fringes due to interference of light
constructively and destructively.
Why central spot is dark in Newton rings:
Ans: Newton rings: At the point of contact of lens and glass Plate.
The thickness of film is zero due to reflection at lower surface of air
film from Denser Medium an additional path difference λ/2 is introduced so center of newton rings is dark
due to destructive interference.
Q.9. What is Michelson Interferometer? Explain its principle, construction and working.
Ans: Definition: An instrument that can be used for ultra-precise measurement of wavelength light and
distance is called Michelson interferometer. It was devised by Michelson in 1881.
Principle: Working principle of Michelson interferometer is
interference,

If Ml is displaced through a distance equal to λ/2, a path difference

mirror of double of this displacement is produced equal to λ.
By counting the number of fringes m, shifted displacement of
𝜆
mirror L can by calculated by formula 𝐿 = 𝑚 2

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Definition of standard meter: “Standard meter is equal to 1553163.5 times the wavelength of red cadmium
light”.
Q.10.What is Diffraction of light? Explain diffraction due to narrow.
Ans: The phenomenon of bending of light around obstacles and spreading of light into geometrical shadow
of an obstacle is called diffraction. Diffraction is also a special case of interference.
Diffraction is prominent when the wavelength of light is large as compared to size of obstacle. Smaller the
size of object or obstacle the higher degree of diffraction is observed.
Q.11. Explain Diffraction grating and Grating element:
Ans: A diffraction grating consists of a glass plate having number of slit ruled on it A typical diffraction
has 400 to 5000 lines per centimeter.
Grating element: the distance b/w the centers of two adjacent lines is called grating element. d=L/N
Grating equation: the path difference for constructive interference b/w two consecutive rays should be
integral multiple of wavelength so path difference difference=ab=λ and equation is dsin0 = nλ is order of
fringes.
Q.12. What are X-rays? Explain Diffraction of X rays through crystals and derive
Bragg’s law.
Ans: X-rays: A type of electromagnetic waves of much shorter wavelength having order of 10-10 m
called X-rays.
Diffraction of X-rays through crystals: The study of atomic structure of crystals by X-rays was
initiated in 1914 by WH Bragg and his son WL Bragg and found that a monochromatic beam of X-rays was
reflected from a crystal plane as if it acted like mirror.
2dsinθ = mλ
Vvv.imp Uses of X-rays diffraction/Bragg equation.
i. This is used to find inter planer spacing
ii. It is used to determine the structure of biologically important molecule such as hemoglobin.
iii. It is used to find wavelength of light.
Q.13. What is Polarization? Steps for detection and production of plane polarized light.
Ans: Polarization: The process of confining the beam of light into single plane of vibration is called
polarization.
Polarized un-polarized light
A beam of ordinary light consisting of large A beam of light in which all vibration confined in
number of planes of vibration is called un- one plane is called polarized light.
polarized light.
Steps for detection and production of plane polarized light:
i. Selective absorption
ii. Reflection from different surfaces
iii. Scattering by small particles
iv. Refraction through crystal
Q.14. Prove that Light waves are transverse in nature:
Ans: Light waves are transverse wave because in light are the waves where the displacement of the particles
in the medium is perpendicular to the direction the wave travels. The particles in a transverse wave will
move up and down in the form of crest and trough while wave is moving horizontally. If the light waves
were longitudinal then they would never disappear even if the two Polaroid’s were mutually perpendicular.

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Q.15. Explain Optical rotation:

Ans: Optical rotation: Such a process in which a plane polarized light passes through certain crystals and
they rotate the plane of polarization. e.g. Quartz crystals and sodium chlorate.
Polarizer/concentration in solution: A few millimeter thickness of such crystals will rotate the plane of
polarization by many degrees and they show optical rotation when they are in solution this property of
optical active substance is used to find concentration in solutions. This device is called Polari meter.

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