Shivalik Classes

Wave Optics Questions (2016-2010)

1. Derive an expression for path difference in Youngs double slit experiment and obtain the
conditions for constructive and destructive interference at a point on the screen.
2. The intensity at the central maxima in Youngs double slit experiment is I0. Find out the intensity
at a point where the path difference is /6, /4 and /3.
3. Why does unpolarised light from a source show a variation in intensity when viewed through a
Polaroid which is rotated? Show with the help of a diagram, how unpolarised light from Sun gets
linearly polarized by scattering.
4. Three identical Polaroid sheets P1, P2 and P3 are oriented so that the pass axis of P2 and P3 are
inclined at angles of 60 and 90 degree respectively with the pass axis of P1. A monochromatic
source S of unpolarised light of intensity I0 is kept in front of the polaroid sheet P1 as shown in the
figure. Determine the intensities of light as observed by the observer at O, when polaroid P3 is
rotated with respect to P2 at angles 30 and 60 degree.

2016

5. Write the important characteristic features by which the interference can be distinguished from
the observed diffraction pattern.
6. What does a polaroid consist of? Show, using a simple polaroid, that light waves are transverse
in nature. Intensity of light coming out of a polaroid does not change irrespective of the
orientation of the pass axis of the polaroid. Explain why.
7. (a) In youngs double slit experiment, deduce the conditions for obtaining constructive and
destructive interference fringes. Hence, deduce the expression for the fringe width.
(b) Show that the fringe pattern on the screen is actually a superposition of slit diffraction from
each slit.
(c) What should be the width of each slit to obtain 10 maxima of the double slit pattern within
the central maximum of the single slit pattern, for green light of wavelength 500 nm, if the
separation between two slits is 1 mm?

2015
8. Show, giving a suitable diagram, how unpolarised light can be polarized by reflection.
9. Two polaroids P1 and P2 are placed with their pass axes perpendicular to each other.
Unpolarized light of intensity I0 is incident on P1. A third polaroid P3 is kept in between P1 and P2
such that its pass axis makes an angle of 60 with that of P1. Determine the intensity of light
transmitted through P1, P2 and P3.

10. In Young's double slit experiment, describe briefly how bright and dark fringes are obtained on
the screen kept in front of a double slit. Hence obtain the expression for the fringe width.

11. The ratio of the intensities at minima to the maxima in the Young's double slit experiment is
9:25. Find the ratio of the widths of the two slits.

12. Describe briefly how a diffraction pattern is obtained on a screen due to a single narrow slit
illuminated by a monochromatic source of light. Hence obtain the conditions for the angular
width of secondary maxima and secondary minima.
13. Two wavelengths of sodium light of 590 nm and 596 nm are used in turn to study the diffraction
taking place at a single slit of aperture 2 x 10-6 m. The distance between the slit and the screen
is 1.5 m. Calculate the separation between the positions of first maxima of the diffraction
pattern obtained in the two cases.

2014

14. (a) State Huygenss principle. Using this principle draw a diagram to show how a plane wave
front incident at the interface of the two media gets refracted when it propagates from a rarer
to a denser medium. Hence verify Snells law of refraction.
(b) When monochromatic light travels from a rarer to a denser medium, explain the following,
giving reasons:
(i) Is the frequency of reflected and refracted light same as the frequency of incident light?
(ii) Does the decrease in speed imply a reduction in the energy carried by light wave?

2013

15. Why is coherent sources necessary to produce sustained interference?

16. Use Huygens principle to explain the formation of diffraction pattern is obtained on a screen due
to a single narrow slit illuminated by a monochromatic source of light. When the width of slit is
doubled the initial width how will the size and intensity of central diffraction effected.

2012

17. Describe Youngs double slit experiment to produce interference pattern due to a monochromatic
source of light. Deduce the expression for the fringe width.
18. Use Huygens principle to verify the laws of refraction.
19. Describe briefly, with the help of suitable diagram, how the transverse nature of light can be
demonstrated by the phenomenon of polarization.
20. When unpolarised light passes from air to a transparent medium, under what condition does the
reflected light get polarized? Write the expression for Brewster angle in terms of the refractive
index of denser medium.

2011

21. State Huygenss principle. Show, with the help of a suitable diagram, how this principle is used to
obtain the diffraction pattern by a single slit. Draw a plot of intensity distribution and explain
clearly why the secondary maxima become weaker with increasing order (n) of the secondary
maxima.

2010

Thus the important topics to be covered are:

1. Huygens Principle and proof of reflection and refraction

2. YDSE and diffraction through single slit.
3. Polarization, Brewster and Malus law.

Weightage around 5 - 8 Marks.