UPH004: APPLIED PHYSICS

SOLITION OF
Tutorial Sheet # 6
[DIFFRACTION]

Q1. For a single slit diffraction fringe find the percentage intensities of 1 st and 2nd order maxima with
respect to that of the central maximum.
Solution:
For a single slit diffraction pattern the intensity is given by
𝐼=𝐼 ; where 𝐼 is the intensity of the CENTRAL MAXIMUM. (Corresponds to 𝛼 = 0 ).
The 1st and 2nd order maxima occurs at 𝛼 = 1.43𝜋 and 2.46𝜋 respectively. (not at 𝛼 = 1.5𝜋 and 2.5𝜋)

( . )
∴ Intensity of the 1st Maxima: 𝐼 = 𝐼 ( . )
= 0.04719𝐼 => ~ 4.72% of the central Maximum.
( . )
∴ Intensity of the 2nd Maxima: 𝐼 = 𝐼 ( . )
= 0.01647𝐼 => ~ 1. 65% of the central Maximum.
Answer: Respectively, 4.72% and 1. 65% of the central Maximum

Q2. The eleventh order minima of a single slit diffraction pattern are found at a distance of 5 cm on
either side of the central maximum. Find the wavelength of the monochromatic radiation used, while the
distance between the slit and screen is 1m and slit width is 0.1mm
B
Solution:
For the minima of a single slit diffraction pattern
𝜃 5 cm
𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆
O 100 cm A
Here, 𝑎=> slit width =0.1 mm=0.01 cm.
𝑛=> order number =11
𝜃=> the diffraction angle.
Let, O is the slit position and B is the location of 11th order minima.
𝐴𝐵 5 5
sin 𝜃 = = = = 0.04994
𝑂𝐵 √100 + 5 100.1249
. × .
∴ The wavelength of the monochromatic radiation 𝜆 = = 𝑐𝑚 = Å= 4540 Å

Answer: The wavelength of the monochromatic radiation 𝝀 =4540 Å

Q3. A thin needle is placed at the centre of an aperture (as in figure), having N
E
E
width thrice that of the needle. If a laser beam incidences normally on this D
L
arrangement, which order spectrum will be absent from the diffraction pattern? E

The needle divides the aperture into two equal slits.

Let, width of the opaque needle is =b,
Width of each slit is =𝑎.
Then, according to the condition (and figure) 𝑎=b
Now, condition for INTERFERENCE MAXIMA:
(𝑎 + 𝑏) 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑚𝜆, where 𝑚 = 0,1,2,3...etc. (1)
Condition for DIFFRACTION MINIMA:
𝑎 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆, where 𝑛 = 1,2,3...m.....2m.....3m....etc. (2)

When, INTERFERENCE MAXIMA superpose on DIFFRACTION MINIMA that particular

INTERFERENCE MAXIMA vanish.
Let the superposition occurs at an angleΦ.
( )
∴ = [By dividing eq.(1) by eq.(2) ]
( )
Or =

Or 𝑚 = 2𝑛= 2,4,6,8....
Answer: 2nd , 4th , 6th ...order Interference Maxima will be absent/Vanished

Q4.A double-slit, each slit having width 0.05 cm and a separation of 0.5 cm between them, forms
diffraction pattern on a screen placed 1.5 m away from the slits. If the diffraction fringe width is 0.15mm
find the wavelength of the monochromatic light used.
The figures shows that the width of the final diffraction pattern, (which is combination of the single-slit
diffraction pattern and interference pattern) is limited by the interference fringe.
If 𝑑 is the distance of the 𝑛-th order Interference Maxima from center and 𝐷
is the slit-screen distance, then,
𝑑 𝑑
sin 𝜃 ≈ tan 𝜃 = 𝜃
𝐷
D
Now, (𝑎 + 𝑏) 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆

Or, (𝑎 + 𝑏) = 𝑛𝜆

Or, 𝑑 = ( )

( )
∴𝑑 = ( )
.

Thus, fringe width, say 𝛿= 𝑑 −𝑑 =( )

( ) . ×( . . )
∴ 𝜆= = cm [Putting the given values of 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝐷 and 𝛿 in cm unit]

= 55 × 10 cm =5500 Å

Answer: The wavelength of the monochromatic light used 𝜆=5500 Å

Q5. 15,000 numbers of long chain Iodine molecules (opaque) are arranged parallel on a transparent thin
film of length 1 inch. Let, the film is illuminated by a light of wavelength 5600 Å. How many bright spots
will be observed on the screen? Label their order.
The arrangement of long chain opaque Iodine molecules on transparent thin film is equivalent to a plane
transmission grating.
Using the relation for grating:
(𝑎 + 𝑏) 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆 .
(𝑎 + 𝑏)=> Grating element = =
( )
Or, 𝑛=
( ) ( ) ×
Or, 𝑛 = =
.
Or, 𝑛 = × ×
= 3.024

n=3 n=2 n=1 n=0 n=1 n=2 n=3

Answer: Total seven bright spot, each corresponds to the principal maxima will be observed
Q6. Prove that for white light (wavelength range 4000 Å to 7000 Å) the second and third order spectrum
will partially overlap for any grating.
Condition for grating diffraction maxima:
𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆, 𝑑 = (𝑎 + 𝑏) => Grating element

𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛

The edge colours of the spectrum n=2 n=3

2nd order spectrum extends from 𝜃 3rd order spectrum extends from
to 𝜃 𝜃 to 𝜃
𝜆 =4000 Å 2 × 4000 3 × 4000
𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑑 𝑑
8000
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 12000
𝑑 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑑
𝜆 =7000 Å 2 × 7000 3 × 7000
𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑑 𝑑
14000 21000
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑑 𝑑

2nd order spectrum extends from 𝜃 to 𝜃 , while 3rd order spectrum extends from 𝜃 to 𝜃 .
Conclusions:
1. Since, 𝜃 < 𝜃 < 𝜃 < 𝜃 , the 2nd and 3rd order spectrum will partially overlap.
2. Since, this is true for any Grating element 𝑑, the overlapping will be for any grating.

7. A plane transmission grating has 300 rulings per mm. Determine the dispersive power of violet
(wavelength 4000 Å) and red (wavelength 6328 Å) light for second order diffraction pattern.
The DISPERSIVE POWER of a plane transmission grating is given by:

=( )
.

Here, 𝑛=> order=2

 (𝑎 + 𝑏)=> Grating element= = 𝑚 = 3.344481 × 10 𝑚 = 33444.81 Å.

We know, (𝑎 + 𝑏) 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑛𝜆

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = ( )

𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 1− ( )

For violet (wavelength 4000 Å):

×
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 1− .
=0.97097.

2
Dispersive power for violate= = cm/rad=0.615879 × 10 rad/cm
( ) 3.344481×10−4 × .

=6158.79 rad/cm
For Red (wavelength 6328 Å):

×
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 1− .
=0.92563.

2
Dispersive power for violate= = cm/rad=0.646046 × 10 rad/cm
( ) 3.344481×10−4 × .

=6460.46 rad/cm
Answer: Dispersive power for (i) violet(wavelength 4000 Å): 6158.79 rad/cm
(ii) Red (wavelength 6328 Å): =6460.46 rad/cm

Q8. A plane transmission grating can just resolve two spectral lines of wavelength 5499.5 Å and 5500.5 Å
in the first order diffraction pattern. Determine the minimum order spectrum the same grating can
resolve, while using another pair of wavelength 6500 Å and 6500.5 Å.
The resolving power of a plane transmission grating can be given by

= 𝑛𝑁

‘Required’ RP to ‘Available’ RP of
separate two the Grating
spectral lines

Here, for the first case:

. .
𝜆= =5500 Å, and 𝑑𝜆 = 5499.5 − 5500.5 Å=1 Å, n=1.

𝑁= = =5500 => Total number of rulings on the grating.

×
For the SECOND case:
.
𝜆= =6500.25 Å, and 𝑑𝜆 = 6500 − 6500.5 Å=0.5 Å,

n=?
6500.25
From the formula, 𝑛 = = = 2.36.
. ×

Therefore, the same grating can resolve n=3, i.e., 3rd order spectrum.
Answer: The grating can resolve 3rd order spectrum.