Interference of Light Waves
Long Question (Detailed Answer)
Q: Explain the interference of light with reference to Young’s double-slit experiment. Answer: 1.
Experimental Setup: In Young’s double-slit experiment, a monochromatic light source such as a
sodium lamp or laser is placed behind a narrow single slit. This slit ensures coherence by making
the waves uniform in phase. Light from the single slit illuminates two very narrow slits, S■ and S■,
separated by a distance d. These slits act as two coherent sources of light. A screen is placed at a
distance D (D >> d) from the slits to observe the interference pattern. 2. Principle and Coherence:
The waves emerging from the slits overlap and interfere on the screen. At some points, they
reinforce each other (constructive interference), producing bright fringes. At other points, they
cancel each other (destructive interference), producing dark fringes. Coherence (same frequency,
constant phase difference) is necessary to produce stable fringes. 3. Path Difference and
Conditions: Let θ be the angle made by the line joining the central point on the screen and point P.
Path difference between rays from S■ and S■ is given by ∆ = d sinθ. - For constructive interference
(bright fringe): ∆ = mλ - For destructive interference (dark fringe): ∆ = (m + ½)λ 4. Position of
Fringes: For small angles, sinθ ≈ tanθ = y/D, where y is the distance of the fringe from the central
bright fringe. - Bright fringe: y■ = (mλD)/d - Dark fringe: y'■ = ((m + ½)λD)/d 5. Fringe Spacing:
The distance between two adjacent bright or dark fringes is called fringe spacing. β = λD/d Thus,
fringe spacing increases with wavelength λ and distance D, but decreases with slit separation d. 6.
Effect of Parameters: - Increasing λ → fringes farther apart. - Increasing D → fringes farther apart.
- Increasing d → fringes closer. 7. Interference of Microwaves: The same principle applies to
microwaves. A transmitter emits waves through two slits in a metal plate. A detector is moved
across the interference region to record maxima and minima. Since microwaves have larger
wavelengths, fringe separation is larger and easier to measure. 8. Practical Notes: - A single slit is
necessary to ensure coherence. - Small angle approximation is valid only if D >> d. - Independent
light sources cannot produce stable interference because they are not coherent.
SLO-Based Short Questions (with 3-line Answers)
Q: Why is a single slit placed before the two slits in Young’s experiment?
Ans: The single slit ensures coherence by making light waves from the source have a fixed phase
relationship. This guarantees that both slits receive waves of the same frequency and phase
difference. Without it, no stable fringes would form.
Q: Why are fringes not seen with ordinary light?
Ans: Ordinary light sources are incoherent. Their emitted waves do not maintain a constant phase
difference. As a result, constructive and destructive effects change rapidly, and no visible stable
fringes are produced.
Q: Why do red fringes appear farther apart than blue fringes?
Ans: Fringe spacing β = λD/d depends directly on wavelength. Since red light has a larger
wavelength than blue light, its fringes are spaced farther apart on the screen.
Q: Why is laser light suitable for interference experiments?
Ans: Laser light is monochromatic and highly coherent. It provides waves of single wavelength and
constant phase difference, giving sharp, stable interference fringes.
Q: What happens to fringe spacing if slit separation is doubled?
Ans: Fringe spacing β = λD/d is inversely proportional to slit separation. Doubling the slit separation
reduces fringe spacing to half, making fringes closer together.
Numerical Questions (Detailed Solutions)
Q1: Light of wavelength 600 nm falls on two slits 0.3 mm apart. The screen is 1.5 m away. Find the
fringe spacing.
Ans: Solution: We use the formula β = λD/d. Given: λ = 600 nm = 600 × 10■■ m, d = 0.3 mm = 0.3
× 10■³ m, D = 1.5 m. Substitute values: β = (600 × 10■■ × 1.5) / (0.3 × 10■³) = (9.0 × 10■■) / (3.0
× 10■■) = 3.0 × 10■³ m = 3.0 mm. Thus, the fringe spacing is 3.0 mm.
Q2: In a microwave experiment, slits are 12 cm apart. The first maximum is observed at 30°.
Calculate the wavelength.
Ans: Solution: Condition for constructive interference: d sinθ = mλ. Given: d = 12 cm = 0.12 m, θ =
30°, m = 1. Substitute: λ = (d sinθ)/m = (0.12 × sin30°)/1 = 0.12 × 0.5 = 0.06 m = 6 cm. Thus, the
wavelength of the microwaves is 6 cm.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs with Answers)
Q: In Young’s experiment, fringe spacing increases if:
A) D decreases B) d increases C) λ increases D) wavelength decreases
Correct: C) λ increases, because β = λD/d.
Q: Fringe spacing formula is:
A) β = dλ/D B) β = λD/d C) β = D/(λd) D) β = dD/λ
Correct: B) β = λD/d.
Q: Condition for dark fringe is:
A) d sinθ = mλ B) d sinθ = (m+½)λ C) d cosθ = mλ D) d tanθ = (m+½)λ
Correct: B) d sinθ = (m+½)λ.
