Chapter 10: Wave Optics

Gist :
1. Wave Optics Describes the connection between waves
and rays of light. According to wave theory of light, light
is a form of energy which travels through a medium in
the form of transverse wave.
2. Wavefront: It is the continuous locus of all such particles
of the medium which are vibrating in the same phase of
oscillation at any instant.
Depending upon the shape of the source of light,
wavefront are of different shapes.
(i) Plane wavefront
(ii) Spherical wavefront
(iii) Cylindrical wavefront

3. Ray: A line perpendicular to a wave front is called a ray.

The direction of rays are always perpendicular to the
wave front along the direction of propagation of wave.
4. Hu

85
 front (called primary wave front) acts as a fresh source of
new disturbance, called secondary wavelet, which travels
in all directions with the velocity of light in the given
medium.
A surface touching these secondary wavelets, tangentially
in the forward direction at any instant gives the new
wavefront at that instant. This is called secondary
wavelets.

It is based on the principle that every point on a

wavefront is a source of secondary wavefront.

The envelope of these wavefronts i.e., the surface tangent

to all the secondary wavefront gives the new wavefront.
The laws of reflection and refraction can be verified using

86
As, frequency v is characteristic of the source, therefore v =
1/T remains the same as light travels from one medium to
another.

of the medium

5. ve theory
As shown in figure, consider a plane wave front AB incident
on the reflecting surface XY, both the wave front and the
reflecting surface being perpendicular to the plane of
paper.

6.
Consider a plane wavefront AB incident on a plane surface
XY, separating two media 1 and 2, as shown in Figure.
Let v1 and v2 be the velocities of light in two media, with
v1 <v2.

87
 1
2is
called the refractive index of the socond medium with
respect to first medium.
7. Behaviour of a Prism, Lens and Spherical Mirror towards
Plane Wave front

88
8. Principle of superposition:- It states that a number of
waves travelling, simultaneously, in a medium behave
independent of each other and the net displacement of the
particle, at any instant, is equal to the sum of the
individual displacements due to all the waves.
9. The phenomenon of redistribution of energy in the region
of superposition of waves is called interference. The
points of maximum intensity in the regions of
superposition of waves are said to be in constructive
interference whereas the points of minimum intensity are
said to be in destructive interference.
Conditions for interference:-
(a) The two sources should emit, continuously, waves of
same wavelength or frequency.
(b) The amplitudes of the two waves should be either or
nearly equal
(c) The two sources should be narrow.
(d) The sources should be close to each other.
(e) The two sources should be coherent one.
Condition for constructive interference:-
Path difference = (2n) /2
Phase difference = (2n)
Condition for destructive interference:-
Path difference = (2n+1) /2
Phase difference = (2n+1)
10. -

89
 For a point P on the screen, the path

difference
Where d is the separation between two slits, D is the
distance between the slits and the screen and x is the
distance of the point of P from the central fringe.
For constructive interference (bright band), the path
difference must be an integer multiple of , i.e.-The
separation between adjacent bright (or dark) fringes
is using which can be measured.
Constructive Interference:
1. Phase difference : where n is an integer
2. Path difference: where n is an integer
Destructive interference:
1. Phase difference : , where n is an
integer
2. Path difference: , where n is an
integer

Interference fringes with white light:- When the slits are

illuminated with white light, the interference pattern
consist of a central white fringe having on both sides a
90
 few coloured fringes and then a general illumination.
Conditions for sustained interference:-
i. Two sources of light must be coherent.
ii. The frequencies (or wavelength) of the two waves should
be equal.
iii. The light must be monochromatic.
iv. The amplitudes of the interfering waves must be equal or
nearly equal.
v. The two sources must be narrow.

Interference pattern.

Diffraction:The phenomenon of bending of light around

the corners of an obstacle is called the diffraction of light.

Diffraction at a Single Slit

91
1. The single-slit diffraction pattern shows the central
maximum (at ), zero intensity at angular
separation
2. Angular spread of the central maxima 2 /d
Width of the central maxima: 2 d
Where D is the distance of the slit from the screen, d is
the slit width

Condition for the Minima on the either side of the Central

Maxima:
d sin , where

Relation between phase difference & path difference:

Where is the phase difference & is the path

difference.
Important Points

92
A soap bubble or oil film on water appears coloured in
white light due to interference of light reflected from
upper and lower surfaces of soap bubble or oil film.
In interference fringe pattern all bright and dark fringes
are of same width,
In diffraction fringe pattern central bright fringe is
brightest and widest. and I remaining secondary maximas
are of gradually decreasing intensities.
The difference between interference and diffraction is
that the interference is the superposition between the
wavelets coming from two coherent sources while the
diffraction is the superposition between the wavelets
coming from the single wavefront

93
PHYSICS CLASS-XII REVISION
86. 1. Define a wavefront. How is it different from a ray ? CBSE (AI)-2017,2016,2015,2010,(D)-2013,2011
[ Ans. Wavefront : Continuous locus of all the particles of a medium vibrating in the same phase is called wavefront
Difference from a ray :
(i) A ray is always normal to the wavefront at each point.
(ii) A ray gives the direction of propagation of light wave while the wavefront is the surface of constant phase

2. State CBSE (AI)-2016,2015,2010,2006,(D)-2013,2011,2008

(i) Each point on the wave front acts as a fresh source of new disturbance, called secondary wavelets, which spread
out in all directions with the same velocity as that of the original wave
(ii) The forward envelope of these secondary
wavelets drawn at any instant, gives the shape
and position of new wave front at that instant

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2. (i) Sketch the wavefront that will emerge from a distance source of light like a star.
CBSE (F) -2010,(D)-2009,(AI)-2001,(AIC)-2004,2003
(ii) Sketch the shape of wavefront emerging/diverging from a point source of light and also mark the rays.
CBSE (F) -2009,2002,(D)-2009,2005, (AI)-2003,2001
(iii) Sketch the wavefront that will emerge from a linear source of light like a slit.
CBSE (D)-2009,(F)-2002,(AI)-2001
[ Ans. (i) Plane wavefront (ii) Spherical wavefront (iii) Cylindrical Wavefront

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3. Sketch the reflected wavefront emerging from a (i) concave mirror (ii) convex mirror, if plane wavefront is incident
normally on it. CBSE (AI)-2015,2006, (Sample Paper)-2011
[ Ans. (i) reflected wavefront from a concave mirror (ii) reflected wavefront from a convex mirror

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4. Sketch the refracted wavefront emerging from a convex/concave lens/prism, if plane wavefront is incident normally on it.
CBSE (AI)-2016,2015,2006,2003,(AIC)-2004
[ Ans. (a) refracted wavefront from a convex/concave lens (b) refracted wavefront from a prism

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PHYSICS CLASS-XII REVISION
87. draw a figure showing the propagation of a plane wavefront reflecting at a plane surface.
Show that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. CBSE (D)-2008,2003
[ Ans.
Let a plane wavefront
time disturbance reaches from B to C, secondary wavelets from A must have spread over a hemisphere of radius
AD = BC = ct. Hence tangent CD be the reflected wavefront

In ABC & ADC,

AC = common
= = 900
AD = BC = c t
ABC ADC
=
==== ==============================================================================
verify the laws of refraction. CBSE (AI)-2017
OR
rarer to a denser medium/
Denser to rarer medium. CBSE (AI)-2016,2015,2006,2002,(D)-2013,2011,2008,2005 (AIC)-2011
[ Ans. Explanation of refra

Let a plane wavefront AB is incident on a refracting surface XY as shown. By

in the time disturbance reaches from B to C, secondary wavelets from A must have spread over a hemisphere
of radius t. Hence tangent CD be the refracted wavefront

Obviously, = = = = constant
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88. Two harmonic waves of monochromatic light CBSE (AI)S -2016,(AIC)-2015,2014,(D)-2014
and
are superimposed on each other. Show that the maximum intensity in interference pattern is four times the intensity
due to each slit. Hence write the condition for constructive and destructive interference in terms of the phase angle .
[ Ans. &
= + = + =

Resultant intensity,
where is the intensity of each monochromatic wave
Obviously, X intensity due to one slit
For constructive interference,

= where = 0,1,2,3,------- and

For destructive interference,

= where = 1,2,3,------- and 0

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PHYSICS CLASS-XII REVISION
89. Derive an
and destructive interference at a point on the screen. Hence find the expression for fringe width. Also draw a graph
showing the variation of intensity in the interference pattern.
CBSE (AI)-2016,2015,2014,2012, (D)-2016,2012,2011, (F)-2015
[ Ans.
The path difference
=
Now, +

+ + + =
=
If point P is very close to point O then

= =
For constructive interference at P
= where = 0,1,2,3,------

for bright fringe,

For destructive interference at P
= where = 1,2,3,---------

for dark fringe,

Fringe width
Width of a dark fringe
= = = = =

Width of a bright fringe

= =
=
=
==================================================================================
5. (i) What is sustained interference pattern ? Write the necessary conditions to obtain sustained interference fringes.
[ Ans. Sustained interference pattern : CBSE (AI)-2015
An interference pattern, in which the positions of maxima and minima on the
screen does not change with time, is called sustained interference
Conditions : (i) Two sources must be coherent
(ii) Waves emitted by two sources should have same frequency and equal or nearly equal amplitude
(iii) Two sources should be quite narrow and the separation between them should be small
(iv) Distance of screen from the sources should be large

light is replaced by a source of white light ? Explain. CBSE (F)-2012

[ Ans. The interference pattern consists of a central white fringe having on both sides a few coloured fringes and then a
general illumination
Reason : Due to zero path difference, all the waves of different colour produce bright fringes at the centre which
overlap and we get central white fringe.
As, , so closest fringe on either side of the central white fringe is violet and the farthest fringe
is red. After a few fringes, the interference pattern is lost due to large overlapping of the fringes and
uniform white illumination is seen on the screen.

SUNEEL KUMAR VISHWAKARMA PGT(PHYSICS) KV1 AFS CHAKERI KANPUR [email protected]

PHYSICS CLASS-XII REVISION
90. When a parallel beam of monochromatic source of light of wavelength is incident on a single slit of width , show
how the diffraction pattern is formed at the screen by the interference of the wavelets from the slit.
(i) Show that, besides the central maximum at , secondary maxima are observed at & minima at
(ii) Show that angular width of central maximum is twice the angular width of secondary maximum and hence find the relation for
linear width of central maximum. CBSE (F)-2017,2016,2013,2012,2011,(AI)-2016,2014,(D)-2012
[ Ans. When a parallel beam of monochromatic light is incident on a single slit, By the
from each point on the slit superpose on each other and diffraction pattern is obtained on the screen.

Central maximum : Wavelets from any two corresponding points of the two halves of the slit reach the central point in the
same phase to produce maxima . The entire incident wavefront contributes to this central maxima
Positions of minima :
Path difference, a
Wavelets from upper half of the slit and the corresponding points in the lower half is received with path difference at P.
Thus destructive interference takes place and we get first minimum.
i,e, for first secondary minimum
a
for secondary minimum ,
a where = 1,2,3,-------
If is very small then for secondary minima

Positions of secondary maxima :

Dividing the slit in to three equal parts, wavelets from two parts will meet with phase difference
each and produce destructive interference and the wavelets from third part will produce first secondary maximum
i,e, for first secondary maximum
a
for secondary maximum
a where = 1,2,3,-------
If is very small then for secondary maxima

Width of central maximum :

for the first minima,
& for the second minima,
linear width of first minimum =D =
Angular width of central maximum

Angular width of secondary maxima Angular width of central maxima

linear width of central maxima

==================================================================================
SUNEEL KUMAR VISHWAKARMA PGT(PHYSICS) KV1 AFS CHAKERI KANPUR [email protected]
PHYSICS CLASS-XII REVISION
91. 1. Draw the intensity pattern for single slit diffraction and double slit interference. CBSE (AI)-2017,2004
[ Ans. Interference Diffraction

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2. State two differences between interference and diffraction patterns. CBSE (AI)-2017,(D)-2017
[ Ans.
Interference Diffraction
1. It is due to superposition of two waves from two
1. It is due to superposition of secondary wavelets from
coherent sources different parts of the same wavefront
2. Width of fringes/ bands is equal2. Width of fringes/bands is not equal
3. All maxima have same intensity 3. Maxima have different intensity and intensity decreases
rapidly with the order of maxima
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3. Explain with reason, how the resolving power of an astronomical telescope will change when - CBSE (AI)-2002
(i) frequency of the incident light on the objective lens is increased
(ii) the focal length of the objective lens is increased ?
(iii) aperture of the objective lens is halved
(iv) the wavelength of the incident light is increased ? Justify your answer in each case.
[ Ans. R. P. of a Telescope
(i) R.P. increases as R.P. (ii) R.P. does not change as it does not depend on focal length of the objective lens
(iii) R.P. is halved as R.P. (iv) R.P. decreases as R.P.
4. How does the resolving power of a microscope change when CBSE (AI)-2015,2008,2005
(i) the diameter/aperture of the objective lens is decreased,
(ii) the wavelength of the incident light is increased ?
(iii) refractive index of the medium between the object and the objective lens increases
(iv) the focal length of the objective lens is increased ? Justify your answer in each case.
[ Ans.

(i) R.P. decreases because as D decreases, also decreases and R.P.

(ii) R.P. decreases as R.P.
(iii) R.P. increases as R.P.
(iv) R.P. does not change as it does not depend on focal length of the objective lens
5. Why is no interference pattern is observed when two coherent sources are- CBSE (AI)-2001
(i) infinitely close to each other (ii) far apart from each other
[ Ans.

(i) when sources are placed infinitely close to each other,

Even a single fringe may occupy the entire screen. Hence no interference pattern will be observed
(ii) when the distance d becomes too large, fringe width becomes too small to be detected. Hence no interference
pattern will be observed
6.Two slits are made apart and the screen is placed away. What should be the width of each slit to obtain
maxima of the double slit pattern within the central maximum of the single slit pattern ? CBSE (AI)-2016,2015
[ Ans. &

Given,

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PHYSICS CLASS-XII REVISION

92. 1. (i) What is a Polaroid ? What does a polaroid consists of ? CBSE (AI)-2015,(DC)-2013,(AIC)-2001
(ii) How does one demonstrate, using a suitable diagram, that unpolrised light when passed through a polaroid gets
polarized ? CBSE (D)-2014, (AI)-2012,2010
(iii) How will you use it to distinguish between unpolarised light and plane polarised light ? CBSE (AI)-2015
[ Ans. (i) Polaroid : A Polaroid is a thin commercial sheet which makes use of the property of selective absorption to
produce an intense beam of plane polarised light
A Polaroid consists of a long chain of molecules aligned in a particular direction
(ii) Plane Polarized light from Polaroid :
When an unpolarised light falls on it, the electric vectors
oscillating along the direction of aligned molecules get absorbed and
those oscillating in the direction perpendicular to the direction of
alignment of molecules are passed through it. Hence the emergent
light is plane polarised or linearly polarised
(iii) Distinction :
When unpolarised light is seen through a rotating Polaroid,
intensity of transmitted light does not change, it remains /2
When plane polarised light is seen through a rotating Polaroid, the intensity of transmitted light varies.
It becomes twice maximum and twice zero in each rotation
===============================================================================
2. When unpolarised light is incident on the boundary separating the two transparent media, explain, with the help of a suitable
diagram, the conditions under which the reflected light gets polarised. Hence derive
the relative refractive index of the two media. CBSE (AI)-2016,2014,2012,2008,(F)-2013,(D)-2014,2010
[ Ans. Polarization of light by reflection
When unpolarised light falls on a transparent surface, both
the reflected and refracted light are found partially polarised. It is
observed that, the degree of polarization of reflected light varies with
angle of incidence. e , reflected light is completely
plane polarised when the refracted and reflected rays make a right
angle with each other.
i,e, when = ,

law
3. Show, with the help of a suitable diagram, how unpolarized sunlight gets polarized due to scattering ?
CBSE (AI)-2017,2014,2013,(F)-2014
[ Ans. Polarization of sunlight due to scattering
Scattered light is found to be plane polarized perpendicular
to the original direction.
Under the influence of electric field of incident wave, the
electrons in the air molecules acquire components of motion in both
the directions, parallel as well as perpendicular to the plane of paper
( as well as ). Charges accelerating parallel to , do not radiates
energy towards observer since their acceleration has no transverse
component. Hence the radiation, scattered towards the observer
gets linearly polarized.

4. The light from a clear blue portion of the sky shows a rise and fall in intensity when viewed through a polaroid which
is rotated. Why ? CBSE (AI)-2015
[ Ans. It is due to polarization of sunlight by scattering
Reason : When unpolarized sunlight falls on air molecules, it gets scattered and is found to be plane polarized
to the original direction hence shows rise & fall in intensity when viewed through a rotating polaroid

SUNEEL KUMAR VISHWAKARMA PGT(PHYSICS) KV1 AFS CHAKERI KANPUR [email protected]

PHYSICS CLASS-XII REVISION
93.1. Unpolarised light is passed through a polaroid . When this polarised beam passes through another polaroid and
if the pass axis of makes angle with the pass axis of , then write the expression for the polarised beam
passing through . CBSE (AI)-2017
[ Ans.
=============================================================================
2. Find an expression for intensity of transmitted light when a polaroid sheet is rotated between two crossed polaroids.
In which position of the polaroid sheet will the transmitted intensity be maximum ? CBSE (D)-2015,2010
[ Ans. Let ntensity of polarised light passing through
Intensity of light after passing through second polarizer
=
Now, Intensity of light after passing through third polarizer
= =
= = (2 )2

= )2
Transmitted intensity will be
(i) minimum when = 0 or = 00
(ii) maximum when = 1 or = 900 or = 450
===============================================================================
3. A narrow beam of unpolarised light of intensity is incident on a Polaroid . The light transmitted by it then
incident on a second Polaroid with its pass axis making an angle of 600 with relative to the pass axis of . Find
the intensity of light transmitted by . CBSE (D)-2017
[ Ans. Intensity through , = =
Intensity through , = = =
4. Two Polaroids and are placed with their pass axes perpendicular to each other. Unpolarised light of intensity
is incident on . A third Polaroid is kept in between and such that its pass axis makes an angle of 600 with
that of . Determine the intensity of light transmitting through , and . CBSE (AI) -2014
[ Ans. Intensity through , = =
Intensity through , = = =
Intensity through ,

= = = =

5. Light waves from two coherent sources arrive at two points on a screen with path differences of 0 and /2. Find the
ratio of intensities at these points. CBSE (AIC)-2017
[ Ans. (i) X 0 (ii) X

&

6. experiment where the interfering waves of equal

intensity have a path difference of (i) /4, and (ii) /3. CBSE (F)-2017
[ Ans. (i) X (ii) X

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PHYSICS CLASS-XII REVISION
94.1. , the intensity of light at a point on the
screen where path difference is , is K units. Find out the intensity of light at a point where path difference is .
[ Ans. (i) X CBSE (D)-2015,2012,NCERT-2017
(given)

(ii) X

2. Two coherent sources have intensities in the ratio 25 : 16. Find the ratio of intensities of maxima to minima after
interference of light occurs. CBSE (DC)-2003
[ Ans. Given, ?

81 : 1

apart and the screen is placed away from the slits.

Calculate the fringe width when light of wavelength is used. CBSE (AI)E -2016
[ Ans. Given, 1 D , ?
fringe width,
4.-A beam of light consisting of two wavelengths, and 60 , is used to obtain the interference fringes in a
screen is placed away. If two slits are separated by , Calculate the
least distance from the central bright maximum where the bright fringes of the two wavelengths coincide.
[ Ans. Given, , ,D , CBSE (AI)-2012
, Least distance of coincide ?
condition for coincide is

X 60 X
6 6 Required least distance

1.2 X

5. A slit of width is illuminated by red light of wavelength . For what value of will -
(i) the first minimum fall at an angle of diffraction of CBSE (AI)-2009, (F)-2006
(ii) the first maximum fall at an angle of diffraction of
[ Ans. Given,
(i) a

(ii) a

6.-The wavelengths of two Sodium light of and are used in turn to study the diffraction taking place at a
single slit of aperture The distance between the slit and the screen is . Calculate the separation
between the positions of first maxima of the diffraction pattern observed in the two cases.
CBSE (AIC)-2017,(AI)-2014,(D)-2013,(DC)-2006
[ Ans. Given, , ,D , a , ?
for first maxima,

6.75 X

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 CBSE QUE_RAY OPTICS AND WAVE OPTICS PART 3 2017-18

Q 1 Sketch the emergent wavefront.

SOL

Q2

In a double slit experiment, the distance between the slits is 3 mm and the slits
are 2 m away from the screen. Two interference patterns can be seen on the
screen one due to light with wavelength 480 nm, and the other due to light with
wavelength 600 nm. What is the separation on the screen between the fifth order
bright fringes of the two interference patterns?

SOL 2
Q3
A spherical convex surface of radius of curvature 20 cm, made of glass (μ = 1.5) is
placed in air. Find the position of the image formed, if a point object is placed at
30 cm in front of the convex surface on the principal axis.

SOL

QUE 4 A narrow slit is illuminated by a parallel beam of monochromatic light of

wavelength λ equals to 6000 Å and the angular width of the central maxima in the
resulting diffraction pattern ismeasured. When the slit is next illuminated by light
of wavelength λ’, the angular widthdecreases by 30%. Calculate the value of the
wavelength λ’.
SOL

QUE 5
SOL 5