WAVE OPTICS 75

EXERCISE – 1: Basic Objective Questions

Huygen’s Principles III. Compton effect IV. Photoelectric effect
1. The corpuscular theory of light which is a Which of the following is correct?
postulation by Newton which is based on, (a) I and II (b) II and III
(a) Newton’s rings (c) III and IV (d) IV and I
(b) The rectilinear propagation of light 10. If L is the coherence length and c is the velocity of
light, the coherent time is
(c) The color through thin films
L
(d) The dispersion of white light into colors. (a) cL (b)
c
2. The locus of all points in the similar state of
vibration in Huygens’s wave theory is called
c 1
(c) (d)
L Lc
(a) A half period zone (b) A wave front
11. Assertion: A narrow pulse of light is sent through a
(a) A ray (d) vibrator medium. The pulse will retain its shape as it travels
3. Among the following phenomena, which one is not through the medium.
explained by Huygens construction of wave front? Reason: A narrow pulse is made of harmonic waves
with a very small range of wavelengths.
(a) Refraction (b) Reflection
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the
(c) Diffraction (d) Origin of spectra Reason is the correct explanation of the
4. The Huygens’s concept of the secondary wave, Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the
(a) Will allow us to find the focal length of a thick
Reason is not the correct explanation of the
lens
Assertion.
(b) A geometrical way in order to calculate a
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
wavefront.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
(c) Has been used to find out the velocity of light
(d) Has been used to describe polarization Interference
5. Wavefront of a wave has direction with wave 12. What will be the path difference for the destructive
motion interference to occur?
(a) parallel (b) perpendicular
(a) n (b) n ( + 1)
(c) opposite (d) at an angle of 
6. The wavefront due to a source situated at infinity is (c)
( n + 1)  (d)
( 2n − 1) 
(a) spherical (b) cylindrical 2 2
(c) planar (d) None of these 13. It has been mentioned that two waves are having
identical wavelength and amplitude interfere in order
7. Which one of the following property of light does
to provide a minimum if the phase difference will be,
not support wave theory of light?
(a) Light obeys laws of reflection and refraction. 
(a) 0 (b)
(b) Light waves get polarized. 2
(c) Light shows photoelectric effect.
3
(d) Light shows interference. (c)  (d)
2
8. Huygens’ principle of secondary wavelets may be
14. Two waves has been found to be originating from
used to
sources S1 and S2 . This will be having zero phase
(a) find the velocity of light in vacuum
(b) explain the particle’s behavior of light difference and the common wavelength  will
(c) find the new position of a wavefront represent the destructive interference at a point P
(d) explain photoelectric effect completely when ( S1 P − S2 P ) is
9. Wave theory cannot explain the phenomena of
I. Polarization II. Diffraction
76 WAVE OPTICS

3 What will be the maximum and minimum possible

(a) 5 (b) 
4 intensities in the resultant beam?
(a) 5I and I (b) 5I and 3I
11
(c) 2 (d) 
2 (c) 9I and I (d) 9I and 3I
15. Which of the following statement is/are correct for 21. Light travels through a glass plate of thickness t and
the coherent sources? having a refractive index  .
I. Two coherent sources emit light waves of If c is the velocity of light in vacuum, the time taken
identical wavelength. by light to travel this thickness of glass is:
II. Two coherent sources emit light waves of t t
identical frequency. (a) (b)
c c
III. Two coherent sources have zero or
tc
constant initial phase difference with (c) t  c (d)
respect to time. 
Choose the correct option from the codes given 22. Interference is possible in
below: (a) Light waves only
(a) Only I (b) I and III (b) Sound waves only
(c) II and III (d) I, II and III (c) Both light and sound waves
16. To demonstrate the phenomenon of interference, we (d) Neither light nor sound waves.
require two sources which emit radiation
23. If the ratio of amplitude of two waves is 4 : 3, then
(a) Of the same frequency & having a definite phase the ratio of maximum and minimum intensity is
relationship
(a) 16 : 18 (b) 18 : 16
(b) Of nearly the same frequency
(c) Of the same frequency (c) 49 : 1 (d) 94 : 1
(d) Of different wavelengths 24. In the phenomenon of interference, energy is
17. The displacement of an interfering light waves has (a) destroyed at bright fringes
been given as, (b) created at dark fringes
(c) conserved, but it is redistributed
y1 = 4sin t (d) same at all points
And, 25. If two waves represented by y1 = 4sin t and
   
y 2 = 3sin  t +  y 2 = 3sin t +  interfere at a point, the
 2  3
What will be the amplitude of resultant wave? amplitude of resulting wave will be about
(a) 5 (b) 7
(a) 7 (b) 6
(c) 1 (d) zero (c) 5 (d) 3.5
18. Ratio of intensities of two waves are given by 4 :1 . 26. It has been mentioned that two waves are having the
Then ratio of the amplitudes of the two waves is intensities in a ratio of 9 :1 in order to create
(a) 2 :1 (b) 1: 2 interference. The ratio between the maximum to
(c) 4 :1 (d) 1: 4 minimum intensity can be written as,

19. 100 π phase difference = ... path difference (a) 10 : 8 (b) 9 :1

(a) 10λ (b) 25λ (c) 4 :1 (d) 2 :1
(c) 50λ (d) 100λ 27. Two waves of intensities  and 4 superimposes.
20. Two coherent monochromatic light beams having Then the maximum and minimum intensities are:
the intensities I and 4I have been superposed. (a) 9I and I (b) 3I and I
WAVE OPTICS 77

(c) 9I and 3I (d) 6I and I 3 1

(c) (d)
28. In Young’s double slit experiment, the intensity of 2 2
light coming from the first slit is double the intensity 35. The path difference produced by two waves is
from the second slit. The ratio of the maximum 3.75mm and the wavelength is 5000 Å. The point is
intensity to the minimum intensity on the (a) uncertain (b) dark
interference fringe pattern observed is (c) partially bright (d) bright
(a) 34 (b) 40 36. When a thin transparent plate of thickness t and
(c) 25 (d) 38 refractive index  is placed in the path of one of the
29. Two coherent sources of different intensities send two interfering waves of light, then the path
waves which interfere. The ratio of maximum difference changes by
intensity to the minimum intensity is 25. The (a) ( + 1) t (b) ( – 1) t
intensities of the sources are in the ratio
( μ+1) ( μ-1)
(a) 25 : 1 (b) 5 : 1 (c) (d)
t t
(c) 9 : 4 (d) 25 : 16 37. Two coherent sources of intensity ratio b interfere,
30. If the ratio of maximum and minimum intensities then the value of (I max − I min ) / ( I max + I min ) is
of an interference pattern is 36 : 1, then the ratio of
amplitudes of the two interfering waves will be 1+  1+ 
(a) (b)
(a) 3 : 7 (b) 7 : 4  
(c) 4 : 7 (d) 7 : 5 1+  2 
(c) (d)
31. Two periodic waves of intensities I1 and I2 pass 2  1+ 
through a region at the same time in the same
direction. The sum of the maximum and minimum 38. Initially two light rays are having the identical
intensities is wavelength  in vacuum will be in phase. Then the
first ray will be travelling a path of length L1
(a) ( I1 + I 2 ) (b) ( I1 + I 2 ) 2
through a medium of refractive index n1 . While the
(c) ( I1 − I 2 ) 2 (d) 2( I1 + I 2 )
second ray will be travelling a path of length L2
32. When viewed in white light, soap bubbles show
through a medium of refractive index n2 . The two
colors because of
waves will be then combined in order to observe
(a) Interference (b) scattering interference. The phase–difference between the two
(c) Diffraction (d) dispersion waves will be,
33. If light wave suffers reflection at the interface 2 2
between air and glass, the change of phase of the (a) ( L2 − L1 ) (b) ( n1L1 − n 2 L2 )
 
reflected wave is equal to
 2 2  L1 L2 
(c) ( n 2 L1 − n1L2 ) (d)  − 
(a) Zero (b) 2    n1 n 2 

(c)  (d) 2 Young's Double Slit Experiment

34. In a Young’s double slit experiment the intensity at 39. When the slit separation is made three folds the
 fringe width in a Young’s double slit interference
a point where the path difference is (  being the experiment will become,
6
wavelength of light used) is I . If I 0 denotes the 1
(a) fold (b) 3
I 3
maximum intensity, is equal to,
I0 3
(c) fold (d) 6 fold
3 1 6
(a) (b)
4 2
78 WAVE OPTICS

40. In an interference experiment, the spacing between (d) I and I 0 will not be related to each other
successive maxima or minima is
46. The first minimum on either side of the central
d D
(a) (b) maximum will be happening a double slit
D d
experiment where the path difference between the
dD d two paths will be
(c) (d)
 4D
 
41. In Young’s double slit experiment, the distance (a) (b)
4 2
between two slits is halved and the distance
between the screen and slit is made three times. (c)  (d) 2
Then, the width of the fringe 47. The separation between the slit has been halved and
(a) becomes half (b) remains the same the distance between the slits and screen has been
(c) becomes 6 times (d) becomes 4 times doubled in Young’s double slit experiment. The
42. Two slits have been separated by a distance of fringe width will be
1mm
They are illuminated with the red light of (a) Same (b) halved
wavelength 6.5 10−7 m . The interference fringes
(c) Doubled (d) quadrupled
have been observed on a screen which was kept 1m
from the slits. The distance between the fifth bright 48. In Young’s double slit experiment carried out with
0
fringe and the third dark fringe will be? light of wavelength  = 5000A , the distance
(a) 0.65mm (b) 1.625mm between the slits is 0.2mm and the screen is at
200cm from the slits. The central maximum is at
(c) 3.25mm (d) 4.88mm
x = 0 . The third maximum (taking the central
43. The distance between the slits will be 0.05cm and maximum as zeroth maximum) will be at x equal to
the screen has been kept 2m away from the slits in
(a) 1.67cm (b) 1.5cm
a double slit interference experiment. The
wavelength of light has been given as 6.0 10−5 cm . (c) 0.5cm (d) 5.0cm
Find out the distance between the fringes? 49. If yellow light emitted by sodium lamp in Young’s
double slit experiment is replaced by
(a) 0.24cm (b) 2.21cm
monochromatic blue of light of the same intensity
(c) 1.28cm (d) 0.12cm (a) Fringe width will decrease
44. In Young’s experiment, two coherent sources are (b) Fringe width will increase
placed 0.9mm apart and fringe are observed one
(c) Fringe width will remain unchanged
meter away. If it produces second dark fringe at a
distance of 1mm from central fringe, the (d) Fringes will becomes less intense
wavelength of monochromatic light is used would 50. In a certain double slit experiment arrangement,
be: interference fringes of width 1.0 mm each are
observed when light of wavelength 5000 Å is used.
(a) 60  10−4 cm (b) 10  10 −4 cm
Keeping the set up unaltered, if the source is
(c) 10  10 −5 cm (d) 6  10 −5 cm replaced by another source of wavelength 6000 Å,
45. The intensity at the side of the central maximum is the fringe width will be
I in an interference pattern created by two identical (a) 0.5 mm (b) 1.0 mm
slits. The intensity at the equivalent spot when either (c) 1.2 mm (d) 1.5 mm
of the two slits has been closed will be I 0 . 51. By the use of sodium light ( = 5898 Å, 92 fringes
Therefore we can write that, are visible in the Young’s double slit experiment.
0

(a) I = I0 When the mentioned color where  = 5461A has

been used. Then how many fringes will be seen?
(b) I = 2I0 (a) 62 (b) 67
(c) I = 4I0 (c) 85 (d) 99
WAVE OPTICS 79

52. The Young’s double slit experiment is performed d2 d2

with blue and with green light of wavelengths (c) (d)
15 D 9D
0 0
4360 A and 5460 A respectively. If x is the 58. In Young’s double-slit experiment the fringe width
th
distance of 4 maxima from the central one, then is . If entire arrangement is placed in a liquid of
(a) x ( blue ) = x ( green ) (b) x ( blue ) x ( green ) refractive index n, the fringe width becomes
β
x ( blue ) 5460 (a) (b) n
(c) x ( blue )  x ( green ) (d) = n+1
x ( green ) 4360
(c) /n (d) /n – 1
53. Interference was observed in interference chamber
59. The distance between two sources is 0.1mm in
where air was present. Now the chamber is
evacuated, and if the same light is used, a careful Young’s double slit interference experiment. The
observer will see distance of the screen from the sources can be
mentioned as 20cm . Wavelength of light used will
(a) No interference 0

(b) Interference with brighter bands be 5460 A . Then what will the angular position of
the first dark fringe?
(c) Interference with dark bands
(d) Interference with larger width (a) 0.08 (b) 0.16

54. A beam of light of  = 600nm from a distance (c) 0.20 (d) 0.32
source falls on a single slit wide and the 60. We are shifting the Young’s double slit experiment
1mm
resulting diffraction pattern is observed on a screen from air to water. Let us assume that the water will
2m away. The distance between first dark fringes be still and clear, it will be predicted that the fringe
on either side of the central bright fringes is: pattern as,
(a) 2.4cm (b) 2.4mm (a) Remains unchanged (b) disappear
(c) 1.2cm (d) 1.2mm (c) Shrink (d) be enlarged
55. In Young’s double slit experiment, the phase 61. The wavelength of red light in Young’s experiment
difference between the light waves reaching third will be 7.8  10−5 cm and that of blue light
bright fringe from the central fringe will be ( = 5.2  10 −5 cm . What will be the n for which
6000 Å)
( n + 1)
th
bright blue band coincides with nth red
(a) Zero (b) 2
band?
(c) 4 (d) 6
(a) 4 (b) 3
56. In a two slit experiment with monochromatic light
fringes are obtained on a screen placed at some (c) 2 (d) 1
distance from the slits. If the screen is moved by 5 × 62. The fringes of identical width has been observed if
–2
10 m towards the slits, the change in fringe width lights of wavelengths in the ratio 1: 2 have been
–5
is 3 × 10 m. If separation between the slits is 10
–3 used in the two separate set-ups of the Young’s
m, the wavelength of light used is double slit experiment. When the ratio between the
separation of the slit in the two cases has been
(a) 6000 Å (b) 5000 Å
mentioned as 2 :1 , find the ratio of the distances
(c) 3000 Å (d) 4500 Å between the plane of the slits and the screen in both
th of these set ups?
57. In a double slit experiment if 5 dark fringe is
formed opposite to one of the slits, the wavelength (a) 4 :1 (b) 1:1
of light is
(c) 1: 4 (d) 2 :1
d2 d2 63. What change occurs, if the monochromatic light
(a) (b)
6D 5D used in Young’s double slit experiment is replaced
by white light?
80 WAVE OPTICS

(a) Only the central fringe is white and all other interposed in the path of one of the interfering beams
fringes are observed coloured then
(b) No fringes are observed
(c) All the bright fringes become white
(d) All the bright fringes are coloured between
violet and red
64. In Young’s double slit experiment, the slits are 2mm
apart and are illuminated by photons of two
0 0
wavelength 1 = 12000 A and  2 = 10000 A . At
what minimum distance from the common central
bright fringe on the screen 2m from the slit will a
bright fringe from one interference pattern coincide
with a bright fringe from the other? (a) The fringe width increases
(b) The fringe width decreases
(a) 3mm (b) 8mm
(c) The fringe width remains the same but the
(c) 6mm (d) 4mm pattern shifts
65. In the Young’s double-slit experiment, the intensity (d) The fringe pattern disappears
of light at a point on the screen where the path 69. In Young’s double slit experiment, a mica slit of
difference  is K, ( being the wave length of light thickness t and refractive index  is introduced in the
used). The intensity at a point where the path ray from the first source S1. By how much distance

difference is , will be: the fringes pattern will be displaced
4
d
K (a) ( μ-1) t (b)
D
( μ-1) t
(a) (b) Zero D d
2
D
K (c)
d
(d) ( μ-1)
(c) K (d) ( μ-1) D d
4
66. In a Young’s double-slit experiment the fringe width 70. A Young’s double slit experiment uses a
is 0.2 mm. If the wavelength of light used is monochromatic source. The shape of the
increased by 10% and the separation between the interference fringes formed on a screen
slits is also increased by 10%, the fringe width will (a) Straight line (b) parabola
be (c) Hyperbola (d) circle
(a) 0.20 mm (b) 0.401 mm 71. A mixture of light, consisting of wavelength 590nm
(c) 0.242 mm (d) 0.165 mm and an unknown wavelength, illuminates Young’s
67. In a Young’s double slit experiment, the slits are 2 double slit and gives rise to two overlapping
mm apart and are illuminated with a mixture of two interference patterns on the screen. The central
wavelength 0 = 750 nm and  = 900 nm. The maximum of both lights coincide. Further, it is
observed that the third bright fringe of known light
minimum distance from the common central bright
coincides with the 4th bright fringe of the unknown
fringe on a screen 2m from the slits where a bright
light. From this data, the wavelength of the unknown
fringe from one interference pattern coincides with
light is
a bright fringe from the other is
(a) 393.4nm (b) 885.0nm
(a) 1.5 mm (b) 3 mm
(c) 4.5 mm (d) 6 mm (c) 442.5nm (d) 776.8nm
68. A monochromatic beam of light is used for the 72. In Young’s double slit experiment, the distance
formation of fringes on the screen by illuminating between two slits is 0.6 mm and these are
the two slits in the Young’s double slit mica is illuminated with a light of wavelength 4800 Å. The
WAVE OPTICS 81

angular width of first dark fringe on the screen 79. In a Young’s double slit experiment, one of the slit
distant 120 cm from slits will be is covered with a transparent sheet of thickness 36
(a) 8 × 10–4 rad (b) 6 × 10–4 rad × 10–3 cm due to which position of central fringe
–4
(c) 4 × 10 rad (d) 16 × 10–4 rad shifts to a position originally occupied by 30th
73. If the 8th bright band due to light of wavelength 1 bright fringe. The refractive index of the sheet, if λ
= 6000Å is
coincides with 9th bright band from light of
(a) 1.5 (b) 1.2
wavelength 2 in Young’s double slit experiment, (c) 1.3 (d) 1.7
then the possible wavelengths of visible light are 80. In Young’s double slit experiment, the aperture
(a) 400 nm and 450 nm (b) 425 nm and 400 nm screen distance is 2 m. The slit width is 1 mm and
(c) 400 nm and 425 nm (d) 450 nm and 400 nm light of 600 nm is used. If a thin plate of glass (  =
74. The Young’s double slit experiment is performed 1.5) of thickness 0.06 mm is placed over one of the
with light of wavelength 6000 Å, where in 16 slits, then there will be a lateral displacement of the
fringes occupy a certain region on the screen. If 24 fringes by
fringes occupy the same region with another light (a) zero (b) 6 cm
of wavelength λ, then λ is (c) 10 cm (d) 15 cm
(a) 6000 Å (b) 4500 Å
81. In young’s experiment the monochromatic light is
(c) 5000 Å (d) 4000 Å
used to illuminate two slits A and B as shown in
75. In Young’s double slit experiment, the two slits are figure. Interference fringes are observed on a screen
d distance apart, interference pattern is observed on placed in front of the slits. Now a thin glass plate is
a screen at a distance D from the slits. A dark placed normally in the path of beam coming from
fringe is observed on the screen directly opposite to the slit A, then:
one of the slits, the wavelength of light is
D2 d2
(a) (b)
2d D
D2 d2
(c) (d)
d D
76. The wavelength of the light used in Young’s
double slit experiment is λ. The intensity at a point

on the screen is , where the path difference is . (a) There will be no change in fringe width
6
If I0 denotes the maximum intensity, then the ratio (b) Fringe width will decrease
of I and I0 is (c) Fringe width will increase
(a) 0.866 (b) 0.5 (d) Fringes will disappear
(c) 0.707 (d) 0.75 82. A double slit experiment is performed with light of
77. If white light is used in Young’s double slit wavelength 500 nm. A thin film of thickness 2m
experiment and refractive index 1.5 is introduced in the path of
(a) no interference pattern is formed the upper beam. The location of the central
(b) white fringes are formed maximum will:
(c) central bright fringe is white (a) Remain unshifted
(d) central bright fringe is coloured
(b) Shift downward by nearly two fringes
78. In Young’s double slit experiment when sodium
(c) Shift upward by nearly two fringes
light of wavelength 5893 Å is used, then 62 fringes
(d) Shift downward by ten fringes
are seen in the field of view. Instead, if violet light
of wavelength 4358 Å is used, then the number of 83. Young’s double slit experiment is made in a liquid.
fringes that will be seen in the field of view will be The 10th bright fringe in liquid lies, where 6th dark
(a) 54 (b) 64 fringes lies in vacuum. The refractive index of the
(c) 74 (d) 84 liquid is approximately:
82 WAVE OPTICS

(a) 1.54 (b) 1.8 (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the
(c) 1.67 (d) 1.2 Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
84. The maximum intensity in Young’s double slit
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the
experiment is I0. Distance between the slits is d = 5,
Reason is not the correct explanation of the
where  is the wavelength of monochromatic light Assertion.
used in the experiment. What will be the intensity of (c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
light in front of one of the slits on a screen at a (d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
distance D = 10d
I 3 Diffraction
(a) 0 (b) I 0
2 4
I0
(c) I0 (d) 88. Diffraction and interference indicate
4
85. Assertion: No interference pattern is detected when (a) Wave nature (b) particle nature
two coherent sources are infinitely close to each
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) none of the above
other.
89. The condition for observing Fraunhofer diffraction
Reason: The fringe width is inversely proportional
from a single slit is that the light wave front
to the distance between the two slits.
incident on the slit should be
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the
Reason is the correct explanation of the (a) Spherical (b) cylindrical
Assertion. (c) Plane (d) elliptical
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the 90. The width of the diffraction band varies
Reason is not the correct explanation of the
(a) inversely as the wavelength
Assertion.
(b) directly as the width of the slit
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(c) directly as the distance between the slit and the
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
screen
86. Assertion: In Young’s experiment, the fringe width
(d) inversely as the size of the source from which
for dark fringes is different from that for bright
the slit is illuminated
fringes.
91. A diffraction pattern is obtained using a beam of red
Reason: If Young’s double slit experiment, is
light. What happens if the red light is replaced by
performed with a source of white light and then only
blue light?
dark and white colored bright fringes are observed.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the (a) No change
Reason is the correct explanation of the (b) Diffraction bands become narrower and
Assertion. crowded together
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the (c) Bands become broader and farther apart
Reason is not the correct explanation of the (d) Bands disappear
Assertion. 92. The main difference in the phenomenon of
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false. interference and diffraction is that
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false. (a) Diffraction is due to interaction of light from
87. Assertion: A thin mica sheet of thickness the same wave front whereas interference is
3 the interaction of waves from two isolated
2  10 −6 m and refractive index  = is
2 sources.
introduced in the path of one of the waves. The (b) Diffraction is due to interaction of light from
same wave front, whereas the interference is
wavelength of wave used is 5000 A. The central
the interaction of two waves derived from the
bright maximum will shift by 2 fringes.
same source.
Reason: Shift in number of fringes is given by
(c) Diffraction is due to interaction of waves
(  − 1) t
(n) = derived from the same sources, whereas the
 interference is the bending of light from the
same wave front.
WAVE OPTICS 83

(d) Diffraction is caused by reflected waves from (a) 0.576 (b) 0.348
a source whereas interference caused is due to (c) 0.192 (d) 0.096
refraction of waves from a surface. 99. A parallel monochromatic beam of light is incident
93. A slit of width d is illuminated by white light. The normally on a narrow slit. A diffraction pattern is
 0
 formed on a screen placed perpendicular to the
first minimum for red light   = 6500 A  will fall at direction of incident beam. At the first minima of
 
the diffraction pattern, the phase difference
 = 30 when d will be
between the rays coming from the edges of the slit
0
(a) 3250 A (b) 6.5 10−4 cm is
π
(c) 1.3 micron (d) 2.6  10 −4 cm (a) 0 (b)
2
94. The angular width of the central maxima of the (c) π (d) 2π
diffraction pattern in a single slit (off width a)
100. A single slit of width d is illuminated by violet
experiment, with  as the wavelength of light, is
light of wavelength 400 nm and the width of the
3  central maxima of diffraction pattern is measured
(a) (b)
2a 2a as y. When half of the slit width is covered and
2  illuminated by yellow light of wavelength 600 nm,
(c) (d)
a a the width of the central maximum diffraction
95. To observe diffraction, the size of an obstacle pattern is

(a) Should be of the same order as wavelength. (a) the pattern vanishes and the width is zero
y
(b) Should be much larger than the wavelength. (b)
3
(c) Have no relation to wavelength. (c) 3y
 (d) None of these
(d) Should be exactly 
2 101. In the far field diffraction pattern of a single slit
96. The first diffraction minima due to a single slit under polychromatic illumination, the first
diffraction is at  = 30 for a light of wavelength minimum with the wavelength 1 is found to be
coincident with the third maximum at 2. So
0 . The width of the slit is
5000 A
(a) 5 10−5 cm (b) 1.0 10−4 cm (a) 31 = 0.32 (b) 31 = 2

(c) 2.5 10−5 cm (d) 1.25 10−5 cm (c) 1 = 3.52 (d) 0.31 = 32
97. Light of wavelength  is incident on a slit of width 102. In a Fraunhofer diffraction at a single slit of width
d. The resulting diffraction pattern is observed on a d with incident light of wavelength 5500 Å, the
screen at a distance D. The linear width of the first minima is observed, at an angle 30°. The first
principal maximum is then equal to the width of the secondary maxima is observed at an angle θ equals
slit if D equals  1  1
(a) sin −1   (b) sin −1  
d 2  2 4
(d) (d)
 d  3
3
(c) sin −1   (d) sin −1  
d2 2 2 4  2 
(c) (d)
2 d
103. A single slit Fraunhofer diffraction pattern is
98. In a single slit diffraction pattern, the distance formed with a light of unknown wavelength. For
between the first minima on the left and the first what wavelength of light, the third secondary
minima on the right is 5 mm. The screen on which maxima in the diffraction pattern coincides with the
the diffraction pattern is displayed is at a distance second secondary maxima in the pattern for red
of 80 cm from the slit. The wavelength is 6000 Å. light of wavelength 6500 Å?
The slit width (in mm) is about (a) 4400 Å (b) 4100 Å
(c) 4642.8 Å (d) 9100 Å
84 WAVE OPTICS

104. Assertion: When a tiny circular obstacle is placed 109. Sound waves do not exhibit
in the path of light from some distance, a bright (a) Refraction (b) interference
spot is seen at the centre of shadow of the obstacle.
(c) Diffraction (d) polarization
Reason: Destructive interference occurs at the
centre of the shadow. 110. Polarization of light proves the
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the (a) Corpuscular nature of light
Reason is the correct explanation of the (b) Quantum nature of light
Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the (c) Transverse nature of light
Reason is not the correct explanation of the (d) Longitudinal wave nature of light
Assertion. 111. The angle of incidence at which reflected light is
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false. totally polarized for reflection from air to glass
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false. (refractive index n) is
(a) sin-1 (n) (b) sin-1 (1/n)
Resolving Power and Limit of Resolution
(c) tan-1 (1/n) (d) tan-1 (n)
105. The angular resolution of a 10cm diameter telescope
0
112. Critical angle for certain medium is sin–1 (0.6). The
at a wavelength of 5000 A is of the order of: polarizing angle of that medium is
(a) 106 rad (b) 10 −2 rad (a) tan −1 (.15) (b) sin −1 (0.8)

(c) 10 −4 rad (d) 10 −6 rad (c) tan −1 (1.6667) (d) tan −1 (0.6667)

106. Two point white dots are 1mm apart on a black 113. The angle of incidence of light is equal to
paper. They are viewed by eye of pupil diameter Brewster’s angle, then
3mm . Approximately, what is the maximum I. reflected ray is perpendicular to refracted ray
distance at which these dots can be resolved by the II. refracted ray is parallel to reflected ray
eye? [Take wavelength of light = 500nm ]
III. reflected light is polarised having its electric
(a) 6m (b) 3m
vector in plane of incidence
(c) 5m (d) 1m
107. Assertion: A famous painting was painted by not IV. refracted light is polarised
using brush strokes in the usual manner, but rather
(a) I and IV are correct (b) I and II are correct
a myriad of small color dots. In this painting the
(c) I and III are correct (d) II and III are correct
color you see at any given place on the painting
changes as you move away. 114. Light transmitted by a Nicol crystal is
Reason: The angular separation of adjacent dots (a) Plane polarized (b) un polarized
changes with the distance from the painting.
(c) Circularly polarized (d) elliptically polarized
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the
Reason is the correct explanation of the 115. Polaroid glass is used in sun glasses because
Assertion. (a) It reduces the light intensity to half on account
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the of polarization
Reason is not the correct explanation of the (b) It is fashionable
Assertion. (c) it has good color
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false. (d) It is cheaper
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false. 116. If the light is polarized by reflection, then the angle
between reflected and refracted light is
Polarization

108. Light waves can be polarized because they (a)  (b)
2
(a) Have high frequencies

(b) Have short wavelength (c) 2 (d)
4
(c) Are transverse
(d) Can be reflected
WAVE OPTICS 85

117. Which of the phenomenon is not common to sound 125. Choose the correct statement
and light waves?
(a) The Brewster’s angle is independent of
(a) Interference (b) Diffraction wavelength of light.
(c) Coherence (d) Polarization (b) The Brewster’s angle is independent of nature
of reflecting surface.
118. An unpolarised beam of intensity I0 falls on a
(c) The Brewster’s angle is different for different
polaroid. The intensity of the emergent light is
wavelengths.
I
(a) 0 (b) I0 (d) Brewster’s angle depends on wavelength but
2
not on the nature of reflecting surface.
I
(c) 0 (d) zero 126. A ray of light is incident on the surface of a glass
4
plate at an angle of incidence equal to Brewster’s
119. Sound wave in air cannot be polarised because angle  . If  represents the refractive index of
(a) their speed is small
glass with respect to air, then the angle between
(b) they require medium
reflected and refracted rays is
(c) these are longitudinal
(d) their speed is temperature dependent (a) 90 + 
120. In the propagation of light waves, the angle
(b) sin −1 (  cos  )
between the direction of vibration and plane of
polarization is (c) 90
(a) 0o (b) 90o
o
(d) 80o  
(c) 45 (d) 90 − sin −1  sin 
  
121. A ray of light strikes a glass plate at an angle of 60°.
If the reflected and refracted rays are perpendicular 127. In case of linearly polarized light, the magnitude of
to each other, the index of refraction of glass is the electric field vector:
3 (a) Does not change with time
(a) 3 (b)
2 (b) Varies periodically with time

3 1 (c) Increases and decreases linearly with time

(c) (d)
2 2 (d) In parallel to the direction of propagation
122. When an unpolarized light of intensity I 0 is 128. When the angle of incidence on a material is 60°,
the reflected light is completely polarised. The
incident on a polarizing sheet, the intensity of the
velocity of the refracted ray inside the material is
light which does not get transmitted is
(in ms–1)
(a) zero (b) I 0
 3 
(a) 3  108 (b)    108
1 1  2
(c) I0 (d) I0
2 4
(c) 3 108 (d) 0.5  108
123. For the study of the helical structure of nucleic
129. When unpolarized light beam is incident from air
acids, the property of electromagnetic radiation,
onto glass (n = 1.5) at the polarizing angle
generally used is
(a) reflection (b) interference (a) reflected beam is polarized 100%
(c) diffraction (d) polarisation (b) reflected and refracted beams are partially
124. From Brewster’s law for polarization, it follows polarized
that the angle of polarization depends upon (c) the reason for option (a) is that almost all the
(a) The wavelength of light light is reflected
(b) Plane of polarization’s orientation (d) All of the above
(c) Plane of vibration’s orientation 130. A beam of light AO is incident on a glass slab
(d) None of the above (  = 1.54) in a direction as shown in figure. The
86 WAVE OPTICS

reflected ray OB is passed through a Nicol prism on (a) Reflected and refracted rays are completely
viewing through a Nicol prism, we find on rotating polarized with their planes of polarization
the prism that parallel to each other.
(b) Reflected and refracted rays are completely
polarized with their planes of polarization
perpendicular to each other
(c) The reflected light is plane polarized but
transmitted light is partially polarized
(d) The reflected light is partially polarized but
refracted light is plane polarized.
134. Assertion: Radio waves can be polarized.
Reason: Radio waves are transverse in nature.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the
Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the
(a) The intensity is reduced down to zero and Reason is not the correct explanation of the
remains zero Assertion.
(b) The intensity reduces down somewhat and rises (c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
again (d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
(c) There is no change in intensity 135. Assertion: A ray of light falls on a transparent slab
(d) The intensity gradually reduces to zero and then of  = 1.732. If reflected and refracted light is
again increases. mutually perpendicular. The angle of incidence is
131. Two nicols are oriented with these principal planes 60o.
making an angle of 60°. The percentage of incident Reason: It follows Brewster’s law, tan p = ;
unpolarized light which passes through the system
where p is polarizing angle.
is
(a) 50% (b) 100% (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the
(c) 12.5% (d) 37.5% Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
132. Two polaroids are oriented with their planes
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the
perpendicular to incident light and transmission
Reason is not the correct explanation of the
axis making an angle of 30° with each other. What
Assertion.
fraction of incident unpolarized light is
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
transmitted?
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
1 3
(a) (b)
2 4
7 3
(c) (d)
8 8
133. When unpolarized light is incident on a plane glass
plate at Brewster’s (polarizing) angle, then which
of the following statements is correct?
WAVE OPTICS 87

EXERCISE-2: Previous Year Questions

1. In Young’s double slit experiment, the angular width 10–2 m, fringe width changes by 3 × 10–5 m. The
of the fringes is 0.20° for the sodium light (λ = 5890 separation between the slits is 1 × 10–3 m. The
Å). In order to increase the angular width of the wavelength of the light used is
fringes by 10%, the necessary change in wavelength [KCET 2011]
is (a) 400 nm (b) 500 nm
[Manipal 2011] (c) 600 nm (d) 700 nm
(a) zero (b) increased by 6479 Å 7. Consider the following statements in case of Young’s
(c) decreased by 589 Å (d) increased by 589 Å double slit experiment.
2. In Young’s double slit experiment, the intensity of I. A slit S is necessary, if we use an ordinary
light coming from one of the slits is doubled the extended source of light.
intensity from the other slit. The ratio of the
II. A slit S is not needed, if we use an ordinary
maximum intensity to the minimum intensity in the
but well collimated beam of light.
interference fringe pattern observed is
III. A slit S is not needed, if we use a spatially
[Punjab PMET, Manipal 2011]
coherent source of light.
(a) 34 (b) 40
(c) 25 (d) 38 [EAMCET 2011]
(a) I, II and III (b) I and II
3. In Young’s double slit experiment, if d, D and λ
(c) II and III (d) I and III
represents, the distance between the slits, the distance
of the screen from the slits and wavelength of light 8. Two monochromatic light waves of amplitudes 3A
used respectively, then the slit width is inversely and 2A interfering at a point have a phase difference
proportional to of 60°. The intensity at that point will be proportional
to
[Kerala CEE 2011]
(a) λ (b) d [KCET 2011]
(c) D (d) λ2 (a) 5A2 (b) 13 A2
(c) 7A2 (d) 19 A2
4. In Young’s double slit experiment, the two slits are
separated by 1 mm and the screen is placed 1m away. 9. A parallel beam of monochromatic light of
The fringe separation for blue and green light of wavelength 5000 Å is incident normally on a single
wavelength 500 nm is narrow slit of width 0.001 mm. The light is focused
by a convex lens on a screen placed on the focal
[J&K CET 2011]
plane. The first minima will be formed for the angle
(a) 10 mm (b) 0.5 mm
of diffraction equal to
(c) 20 mm (d) 15 mm
[Manipal 2011]
5. In the case of light waves from two coherent sources
(a) 0 (b) 15
S1 and S2 , there will be constructive interference at
(c) 30 (d) 60
an arbitrary point P, if the path difference, S1 P – S2P
is 10. In a single slit diffraction experiment, the width of the
slit is made double its original width. Then, the
[J&K CET 2011]
central maxima on the diffraction pattern will become
 1
(a)  n +   (b) nλ [BCECE, J&K CET 2011]
 2
 1  (a) narrower and fainter (b) narrower and brighter
(c)  n −   (d) (c) broader and fainter (d) broader and brighter
 2 2
11. The slit width, when a light of wavelength 6500 Å is
incident on a slit, if first minima for red light is at
6. In Young’s double slit experiment, fringes of width β
30°, is
are produced on a screen kept at a distance of 1 m
from the slit. When the screen is moved away by 5 × [DUMET 2011]
88 WAVE OPTICS

(a) 1 × 10–6 m (b) 5.2 × 10–6 m of the diffraction pattern, the phase difference
(c) 1.3 × 10–6 m (d) 2.6 × 10–6 m between the rays coming from the two edges of the
slit is
[AMU 2012]
−1 5
12. The critical angle of a certain medium is sin   . (a) zero (b) π/2
3 (c) π (d) 2 π
The polarizing angle of the medium is
17. For a wavelength of light l and scattering object of
[KECT 2011] size a, all wavelengths are scattered nearly equally, if
−1 4 −1 5 [DUMET 2012]
(a) sin   (b) tan  
5 3 (a) a =  (b) a  
−1 3 −1 4 (c) a   (d) a  
(c ) tan   (d) tan  
4 3 18. If two sources have a randomly varying phase
13. Assertion: The pattern and the position of fringes difference (t), the resultant intensity will be given
always remain same even after the introduction of by
transparent medium in a path of one of the slit. [DUMET 2012]
Reason: The central fringe is bright or dark depends (a) 1/2 I 0 (b) I 0 /2
upon the initial phase difference between the two
coherent sources. (c) 2 I 0 (d) I0 / 2

[AIIMS 2012] 19. In Young’s double slit experiment, the slits are 2 mm
apart and are illuminated by photons of two
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason
wavelengths λ1 = 12000 Å and λ2 = 10000 Å. At what
is the correct explanation of Assertion.
minimum distance from the common central bright
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason
fringe on the screen 2 m from the slit will a bright
is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
fringe from one interference pattern coincide with a
(c) Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.
bright fringe from the other?
(d) Assertion is incorrect but Reason is correct.
[NEET 2013]
14. In a Young’s double slit experiment, the separation
(a) 8 mm (b) 6 mm
between the two slits is 0.9 mm and the fringe are
(c) 4 mm (d) 3 mm
observed 1 m away. If it produces the second dark
fringe at a distance of 1 mm from the central fringe, 20. Two beams of light of intensities I1 and I2, interfere to
the wavelength of the monochromatic source of light give an interference pattern, if the ratio of the
used is maximum intensity to the minimum intensity is
[Manipal 2012] 25 I
, then 1 is
(a) 450 nm (b) 400 nm 9 I2
(c) 500 nm (d) 600 nm [KCET 2013]
15. In a double slit interference experiment, the fringe (a) 8 mm (b) 4
width obtained with a light of wavelength 5900 Å (c) 4 mm (d) 16
was 1.2 mm for parallel narrow slits placed 2 mm 21. An unpolarized beam of intensity I0 is incident on a
apart. In this arrangement, if the slit separation is pair of nicols making an angle of 60° with each other.
increased by one-and-half times the previous value, The intensity of light emerging from the pair is
then the fringe width is
[AFMC 2013]
[EAMCET] (a) I0 (b) I0/4
(a) 0.9 mm (b) 0.8 mm (c) I0/2 (d) I0/8
(c) 1.8 mm (d) 1.6 mm
16. A parallel beam of monochromatic light is incident 22. In single slit diffraction pattern,
normally on a narrow slit. A diffraction pattern is
[UP CPMT 2013]
formed on a screen placed perpendicular to the
direction of the incident beam. At the first minimum (a) central fringe has negligible width than others
(b) all fringes are of same width
WAVE OPTICS 89

(c) central fringes do not exist 29. For a parallel beam of monochromatic light of
(d) None of the above wavelength  diffraction is produced by a single slit
23. The Brewster angle for the glass-air interface is whose width a is of the order of the wavelength of the
54.74°. If a ray of light going from air to glass strikes light. If D is the distance of the screen from the slit,
at an angle of incidence 45°, then the angle of then the width of the central maxima will be
refraction is (given, tan 54.74o = 2 ) [NEET 2015]
[NEET 2013] 2D D
(a) (b)
(a) 60 o
(b) 30o a a
(c) 25o (d) 54.74o Da 2Da
(c) (d)
 
24. In the Young’s double slit experiment, the intensity
of light at a point on the screen (where the path 30. In a double slit experiment, the two slits are 1 mm
difference is λ) is K, (λ being the wavelength of light apart and the screen is placed 1 m away. A
used). The intensity at a point where the path monochromatic light of wavelength 500 nm is used.
difference is λ /4, will be What will be the width of each slit for obtaining ten
[J&K CET 2014] maxima of double slit within the central maxima of
(a) K (b) K/4 single slit pattern?
(c) K/2 (d) zero [NEET 2015]
25. A fringe width of a certain interference pattern is β = (a) 0.2 mm (b) 0.1 mm
0.002 cm. What is the distance of 5th dark fringe (c) 0.5 mm (d) 0.02 mm
from centre? 31. The intensity at the maximum in a Young’s double
[KCET 2014] slit experiment is I0. Distance between two slits is d =
5λ, where λ is the wavelength of light used in the
(a) 9 ×10–3 cm (b) 11 × 10–2 cm experiment. What will be the intensity infront of one
(c) 1.1 × 10–2 cm (d) 3.28 × 106 cm of the slits on the screen placed at a distance D =
26. In Young’s double slit experiment, the ratio of 10d?
maximum and minimum intensities in the fringe [NEET 2016]
system is 9 : 1. The ratio of amplitudes of coherent I0 3
sources is (a) (b) I0
4 4
[UK PMT 2014] I
(c) 0 (d) I 0
(a) 9 : 1 (b) 3 : 1 2
(c) 2 : 1 (d) 1 : 1 32. The interference pattern is obtained with two
27. In Young’s double slit interference experiment, using coherent light sources of intensity ratio n. In the
two coherent waves of different amplitudes, the interference pattern, the
intensities ratio between bright and dark fringes is 3.
I max − I min
Then, the value of the ratio of the amplitudes of the ratio will be
I max + I min
wave that arrive there is
[EAMCET 2014] [NEET 2016]
   
(a)  3 + 1  (b)  3 − 1 
n 2 n
    (a) (b)
 3 −1   3 +1 n +1 n +1
(c) 3 :1 (d) 1: 3 n 2 n
(c) (d)
( n + 1) ( n + 1)
2 2
28. A fringe width of a certain interference pattern is β =
0.002 cm. What is the distance of 5th dark fringe
33. In a diffraction pattern due to a single slit of width a,
centre?
the first minimum is observed at an angle 30°, when
[CET 2014] light of wavelength 5000 Å is incident on the slit. The
(a) 1 × 10–2 cm (b) 11 × 10–2 cm first secondary maximum is observed at an angle of
(c) 1.1 × 10–2 cm (d) 3.28 × 106 cm
[NEET 2016]
90 WAVE OPTICS

−1 2 −1 1 39. Two polaroid’s P1 and P2 are placed with their axis
(a) sin   (b) sin   perpendicular to each other. Unpolarized light I0 is
3 2
incident on P1. A third polaroid P3 is kept in between
−1 3 −1 1 P1 and P2 such that its axis makes an angle 45° with
(c) sin   (d) sin  
4 4 that of P1. The intensity of transmitted light through
34. A linear aperture whose width is 0.02 cm is placed in P2 is
front of a lens of focal length 60 cm. The aperture is [NEET 2017]
illuminated normally by a parallel beam of I0 I0
wavelength 5 × 10–5 cm. The distance of the first dark (a) (b)
2 4
band of the diffraction pattern from the centre of the I I
screen is (c) 0 (d) 0
8 16
[NEET 2016] 40. In Young’s double slit experiment, the separation d
(a) 0.10 cm (b) 0.25 cm between the slits is 2 mm, the wavelength λ of the
(c) 0.20 cm (d) 0.15 cm light used is 5896 Å and distance D between the
35. Young’s double slit experiment is first performed in screen and slits is 100 cm. It is found that, the angular
air and then in a medium other than air. It is found width of the fringes is 0.20°. To increase the fringe
that 8th bright fringe in the medium lies, where 5th angular width to 0.21° (with same l and D), the
dark fringe lies in air. The refractive index of the separation between the slits needs to be changed to
medium is nearly [NEET 2018]
[NEET 2017] (a) 2.1 mm (b) 1.9 mm
(a) 1.25 (b) 1.59 (c) 1.8 mm (d) 1.7 mm
(c) 1.69 (d) 1.78 41. Unpolarized light is incident from air on a plane
36. White light is used to illuminate two slits in Young’s surface of a material of refractive index μ. At a
double slit experiment. The separation between the particular angle of incidence i, it is found that the
slits is b and the screen is at a distance d (>> b) from reflected and refracted rays are perpendicular to each
the slits. At a point on the screen directly in front of other. Which of the following options is correct for
one of the slits, which wavelengths are missing? this situation?
[JIPMER 2017] [NEET 2018]
b b b b b2 b2
2
(a) , , (b) , , 1
d 3d 5d 2d 4d 6d (a) (a) i = sin −1  

b2 b2 b2 b b b (b) Reflected light is polarised with its electric vector
(c) , , (d) , ,
d 3d 5d 2d 4d 6d perpendicular to the plane of incidence
37. The Young’s double slit experiment is performed (c) Reflected light is polarised with its electric vector
with blue and green light of wavelengths 4360 Å and parallel to the plane of incidence
5460 Å respectively. If x is the distance of 4th 1
(d) (d) i = tan −1  
maxima from the central one, then 
[AIIMS 2017] 42. Angular width of the central maxima in the
(a) x blue = x green (b) xblue  xgreen Fraunhofer diffraction pattern of a single slit is
measured. The slit is illuminated by light of
(c) xblue  xgreen (d) xblue / xgreen
wavelength 6000 Å. When the same slit is
38. The maximum numbers of possible interference illuminated by another monochromatic light, the
maxima for slit separation equal to twice the angular width decreases by 30%. The wavelength of
wavelength in Young’s double slit experiment is this light is.
[JIPMER 2017] [NEET Odisha 2019]
(a) infinite (b) five (a) 1800 Å (b) 4200 Å
(c) three (d) zero (c) 6000 Å (d) 420 Å
WAVE OPTICS 91

43. Assertion Incoming light reflected by earth is D

Reason Fringe width,  =
partially polarised. Reason Atmospheric particle d
polarize the light. [AIIMS 2019]
[AIIMS 2019] (a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct and
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion (b) Both Assertion and Reason are correct but
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason Reason is not the correct explanation of
is not the correct explanation of Assertion. Assertion.
(c) Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect (c) Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect. (d) Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect.
44. In a double slit experiment, when light of wavelength 48. In a Young’s double slit experiment, if there is no
400 nm was used, the angular width of the first initial phase difference between the light from the
minima formed on a screen placed 1 m away, was two slits, a point on the screen corresponding to the
found to be 0.2º. What will be the angular width of 5th minimum has path difference.
the first minima, if the entire experimental apparatus [NEET Odisha 2019]
is immersed in water?
 
(a) 5 (b) 10
( μ water = 4 / 3 ) 2 2
[NEET 2019]  
(c) 9 (d) 11
(a) 0.15o (b) 0.051o 2 2
(c) 0.1o (d) 0.266o 49. The Brewster’s angle ib for an interface should be:
45. Distance of 5th dark fringe from centre is 4 mm. If D
[NEET 2020]
= 2m, λ = 600 nm, then distance between slits is 0 0
(a) 45 < ib < 90 (b) ib = 900
[AIIMS 2019]
(a) 1.35 mm (b) 2.00 mm (c) 00 < i b < 300 (d) 300 < ib < 450
(c) 3.25 mm (d) 10.35 mm 50. In Young's double slit experiment, if the separation
between coherent sources is halved and the
46. A light of wavelength 500 nm is incident on a
distance of the screen from the coherent sources is
Young’s double slit. The distance between slit and
doubled, then the fringe width becomes :
screen is D = 1 8. m and distance between slits is d =
04. mm. If screen moves with a speed of 4 ms-1 , then [NEET 2020]
with what speed first maxima will move?
(a) four times (b) one-fourth
[AIIMS 2019] (c) double (d) half
(a) 5 mms–1 (b) 4 mms–1
(c) 3 mms–1 (d) 2 mms–1
47. Assertion Distance between position of bright and
dark fringe remain same in Young’s double slit
experiment.
92 WAVE OPTICS

EXERCISE-3: Achiever’s Section

1. When the slit widths are in the ratio 1: 9 in a Young’s x x
double slit experiment, then the ratio of the intensity (a) I0 cos   (b) I 0 cos 2  
at minima to that at maxima will be  

1  x  I   x 
(a) 1 (b) (c) I0 cos 2   (d)  0  cos 2  
9    4   
1 1 7. In the figure is shown Young’s double slit
(c) (d) experiment. Q is the position of the first bright fringe
4 3 th
on the right side of O. P is the 11 fringe on the other
2. A ray of light is incident on the surface of a glass side, as measured from Q. If the wavelength of the
plate of refractive index 1.55 at the polarizing angle. –10
light used is 6000 × 10 m, then S1B will be equal
The angle of refraction is
to
(a) 5711 (b) 3249
(c) 14711 (d) 0
3. In a Fresnel biprism experiment, the two positions of
lens give separation between the slits as 16cm and
9cm respectively. What is the actual distance of
separation?
(a) 13cm (b) 14cm
(c) 12.5cm (d) 12cm
4. In figure, a wavefront AB moving in air is incident on –6 –6
(a) 6 × 10 m (b) 6.6 × 10 m
a plane glass surface xy. Its position CD after
–7 –7
refraction through a glass slab is shown also along (c) 3.138 × 10 m (d) 3.144 × 10 m
with normal drawn at A and D. The refractive index 8. In a double slit experiment, instead of taking slits of
of glass with respect to air will be equal to equal widths, one slit is made twice as wide as the
other. Then in the interference pattern
(a) The intensities of both the maxima and the
minima increase
(b) The intensity of the maxima increases and
minima has zero intensity
(c) The intensity of the maxima decreases and that
of minima increases
(d) The intensity of the maxima decreases and the
minima has zero intensity
9. In Young’s double slit experiment the y-coordinates
of central maxima and 10th maxima are 2 cm and 5
sin θ sin θ cm respectively. When the YDSE apparatus is
(a) (b)
sin θ sin φ immersed in a liquid of refractive index 1.5 the
corresponding y-coordinates will be
(c) (BD/AC) (d) (AB/CD)
(a) 2 cm, 7.5 cm (b) 3 cm, 6 cm
5. In Young’s double slit experiment how many
maxima’s can be obtained on a screen (including the (c) 2 cm, 4 cm (d) 4/3 cm, 10/3 cm
central maximum) on both sides of the central fringe 10. In a double slit arrangement fringes are produced
if  = 2000 Å and d = 7000 Å using light of wavelength 4800 Å. One slit is covered
by a thin plate of glass of refractive index 1.4 and the
(a) 12 (b) 7
other with another glass plate of same thickness but
(c) 18 (d) 4 of refractive index 1.7. By doing so the central bright
6. In a Young’s double slit experiment, let  be the shifts to original fifth bright fringe from centre.
fringe width, and let I0 be the intensity at the central Thickness of glass plate is
bright fringe. At a distance x from the central bright (a) 8 m (b) 6 m
fringe, the intensity will be
WAVE OPTICS 93

(c) 4 m (d) 10 m (d) e cos  = n where n = 1, 2, 3, 4 ...

11. When one of the slits of Young’s experiment is 15. A wavefront is represented by the plane y = 3 - x. The
covered with a transparent sheet of thickness 4.8 mm, propagation of wave takes place at
the central fringe shifts to a position originally (a) 45° with x-direction
th
occupied by the 30 bright fringe. What should be the (b) 135° with x-direction
thickness of the sheet if the central fringe has to shift (c) 60° with x-direction
th
to the position occupied by 20 bright fringe (d) No sufficient data
(a) 3.8 mm (b) 1.6 mm 16. Light waves travel in vacuum along the Y-axis.
(c) 7.6 mm (d) 3.2 mm Which of the following may represent the wavefront?
12. A monochromatic beam of light falls on YDSE (a) y = constant (b) x = constant
apparatus at some angle (say ) as shown in figure. A (c) z = constant (d) x + y + z = constant
thin sheet of glass is inserted in front of the lower slit 17. What is the minimum thickness of a thin film
S2. The central bright fringe (path difference = 0) will required for constructive interference in the reflected
be obtained light from it? Given, the refractive index of the film =
1.5 and wavelength of the light incident on the film =
600 nm
(a) 100 nm (b) 300 nm
(c) 50 nm (d) 200 nm
18. Between two coherent sources, the phase difference is
(a) (x) = constant (b) (t) = constant
(c) (x) = (t) = constant (d) (x)  (t)
19. Assertion: In Young’s double slit experiment, the
(a) At O
two slits are at distance d apart. Interference pattern is
(b) Above O observed on a screen at a distance D from the slits. At
(c) Below O a point on the screen when it is directly opposite to
(d) Anywhere depending on angle , thickness of one of the slits, a dark fringe is observed. Then, the
plate t and refractive index of glass  wavelength of wave is proportional to the square of
distance of two slits.
13. A flake of glass (refractive index 1.5) is placed over
one of the openings of a double slit apparatus. The Reason: For a dark fringe intensity is zero.
interference pattern displaces itself through seven (a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct and
successive maxima towards the side where the flake Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion
is placed. if wavelength of the diffracted light is  = (b) Both Assertion and Reason are correct but
600 nm, then the thickness of the flake is
Reason is not the correct explanation of
(a) 2100 nm (b) 4200 nm Assertion.
(c) 8400 nm (d) None of these (c) A is correct but Reason is incorrect.
14. A parallel monochromatic beam of light is incident at (d) Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect.
an angle  to the normal of a slit of width e. The
central point O of the screen will be dark if 20. White light may be considered to be mixture of wave
with wavelength ranging between 3000 Å and 7800
Å. An oil film of thickness 10000 Å is examined
normally by the reflected light. If  = 1.4, then the
film appears bright for
(a) 3733 Å, 4308 Å, 5091 Å, 6222 Å,
(b) 4000 Å, 5091 Å, 5600 Å
(c) 4667 Å, 6222 Å, 7000 Å
(d) 4000 Å, 4667 Å, 5600 Å, 7000 Å
(a) e sin  = n where n = 1, 3, 5 ... 21. Specific rotation of sugar solution is 0.01 SI units.
(b) e sin  = n where n = 1, 2, 3 ... 200kg m–3 of impure sugar solution is taken in a
polarimeter tube of length 0.25 m and an optical
(c) e sin  = (2n – 1) /2 where n = 1, 2, 3 ...
94 WAVE OPTICS

rotation of 0.4 rad is observed. The percentage of 24. The Young’s double slit experimental arrangement is
purity of sugar in the sample is shown in figure below. If λ is the wavelength of light
(a) 11% (b) 20% used and  S1 CS2 = θ, then the fringe width will be
(c) 80% (d) 89%
22. The graph showing the dependence of intensity of
transmitted light on the angle between polarizer and
analyzer, is

 
(a) (b)
 2
2
(a) (c)  (d)

25. The ratio of intensity at the centre of a bright fringe to
the intensity at a point distance one-fourth of the
distance between two successive bright fringes will
be
(a) 4 (b) 2
(b) (c) 2 (d) 1
26. Assertion: Diffraction sets the limit to the resolving
power of all imaging system.
Reason: Resolving power is reciprocal of resolution
limit.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the
Reason is the correct explanation of the
(c) Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the
Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
27. Assertion: Interference cannot be obtained from
independent source of light.
(d) Reason: In Young’s double slit experiment both slits
are independent source of light.
23. Assertion: The clouds in sky generally appear to be (a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the
whitish. Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
Reason: Diffraction due to clouds is efficient in equal
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the
measure at all wavelengths.
Reason is not the correct explanation of the
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Assertion.
Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion. (c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are correct but (d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
Reason is not the correct explanation of
Assertion
(c) Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are correct.
WAVE OPTICS 95

28. Assertion: Bubbles of colorless soap solution appear

colored in sunlight.
Reason: Light splits in different colors due to
dispersion.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the
Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the
Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
29. Assertion: To observe diffraction of light the size of
obstacle/aperture should be of the order of 10-7 m.
Reason: Order of wavelength for diffraction is 10-7
m.
(a) Both Assertion and Reason are true, and the
Reason is the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are true, but the
Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
(c) Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
(d) Both Assertion and Reason are false.
30. A beam with wavelength  falls on a stack of
partially reflecting planes with separation d. The
angle  that the beam should make with the planes so
that the beams reflected from successive planes may
interfere constructively is (where n =1, 2, ……)

nλ nλ
(a) sin -1   (b) tan -1  
 d   d 
nλ nλ
(c) sin -1   (d) cos -1  
 2d   2d 
ANSWER KEY 99

CHAPTER 9: WAVE OPTICS

Exercise – 1: Basic Objective Questions

1. (b) 2. (b) 3. (d) 4. (b) 93. (c) 94. (c) 95. (a) 96. (b)
5. (b) 6. (c) 7. (c) 8. (c) 97. (c) 98. (c) 99. (d) 100. (c)
9. (c) 10. (b) 11. (d) 12. (d) 101. (c) 102. (c) 103. (c) 104. (c)
13. (c) 14. (d) 15. (d) 16. (a) 105. (d) 106. (c) 107. (a) 108. (c)
17. (a) 18. (a) 19. (c) 20. (c) 109. (d) 110. (c) 111. (d) 112. (c)
21. (b) 22. (c) 23. (c) 24. (c) 113. (c) 114. (a) 115. (a) 116. (b)
25. (a) 26. (c) 27. (a) 28. (a) 117. (d) 118. (a) 119. (c) 120. (b)
29. (c) 30. (d) 31. (d) 32. (a) 121. (a) 122. (c) 123. (d) 124. (a)
33. (c) 34. (a) 35. (b) 36. (b) 125. (c) 126. (c) 127. (b) 128. (c)
37. (d) 38. (b) 39. (a) 40. (b) 129. (a) 130. (d) 131. (c) 132. (d)
41. (c) 42. (b) 43. (a) 44. (d) 133. (c) 134. (a) 135. (a)
45. (c) 46. (b) 47. (d) 48. (b)
49. (a) 50. (c) 51. (d) 52. (c)
53. (d) 54. (b) 55. (d) 56. (a)
57. (d) 58. (c) 59. (b) 60. (c)
61. (c) 62. (a) 63. (a) 64. (c)
65. (a) 66. (a) 67. (c) 68. (c)
69. (b) 70. (a) 71. (c) 72. (a)
73. (d) 74. (d) 75. (d) 76. (d)
77. (c) 78. (d) 79. (a) 80. (b)
81. (a) 82. (c) 83. (b) 84. (a)
85. (a) 86. (d) 87. (a) 88. (a)
89. (c) 90. (c) 91. (b) 92. (b)
100 ANSWER KEY

Exercise– 2: Previous Year Questions Exercise– 3: Achiever’s Section

1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (b) 4. (b) 1. (c) 2. (b) 3. (d) 4. (c)

5. (b) 6. (c) 7. (d) 8. (d) 5. (b) 6. (c) 7. (a) 8. (a)
9. (c) 10. (a) 11. (c) 12. (b) 9. (c) 10. (a) 11. (d) 12. (c)
13. (c) 14. (d) 15. (b) 16. (c) 13. (c) 14. (b) 15. (b) 16. (a)
17. (b) 18. (d) 19. (b) 20. (d) 17. (a) 18. (a) 19. (a) 20. (a)
21. (d) 22. (d) 23. (b) 24. (c) 21. (c) 22. (b) 23. (a) 24. (a)
25. (a) 26. (c) 27. (a) 28. (c) 25. (c) 26. (a) 27. (c) 28. (c)
29. (a) 30. (a) 31. (c) 32. (b) 29. (a) 30. (c)
33. (c) 34. (d) 35. (d) 36. (c)
37. (d) 38. (b) 39. (c) 40. (b)
41. (b) 42. (b) 43. (b) 44. (a)
45. (a) 46. (a) 47. (a) 48. (c)
49. (a) 50. (a)