9.

2 [43 marks]

1. A single-slit diffraction experiment is performed using light of different [1 mark]

colours. The width of the central peak in the diffraction pattern is
measured for each colour. What is the order of the colours that corresponds to
increasing widths of the central peak?
A. red, green, blue
B. red, blue, green
C. blue, green, red
D. green, blue, red

2. Which of the following experiments provides evidence for the existence of [1 mark]
matter waves?
A. Scattering of alpha particles
B. Electron diffraction
C. Gamma decay
D. Photoelectric effect

3. A parallel beam of coherent light of wavelength λ is incident on a [1 mark]

rectangular slit of width d. After passing through the slit the light is
incident on a screen a distance D from the slit where D is much greater than d.
What is the width of the central maximum of the diffraction pattern as measured
on the screen?
A. 2Dλ
d

B. 2d
Dλ

C. Dλ
d

D. d
Dλ
4. The intensity distribution of monochromatic light passing through a [1 mark]
narrow slit and then incident on a screen is shown below.

When the slit width is reduced which diagram shows the new intensity
distribution? Diagrams are drawn to the same scale as the original.
5. Which of the following would be diffracted the most when incident on a [1 mark]
slit of width 1 cm?
A. microwaves
B. red light
C. ultraviolet
D. X-rays

6. A beam of coherent light is incident on a single slit of width b . After [1 mark]

passing through the slit, the light is incident on a screen at a distance D
from the slit.

Which of the following changes, carried out separately, in respect of b and D will
result in an increase in width of the first diffraction maximum formed on the
screen?

7. A parallel beam of monochromatic light of wavelength λ passes through a [1 mark]

slit of width b . After passing through the slit the light is incident on a
distant screen. The angular width of the central maximum is
A. 2 λb radians.
λ
B. radians.
b

C. 2 λb degrees.
λ
D. degrees.
b
 Yellow light from a sodium lamp of wavelength 590 nm is incident at normal
incidence on a double slit. The resulting interference pattern is observed on a
screen. The intensity of the pattern on the screen is shown.

8a. Explain why zero intensity is observed at position A. [2 marks]

8b. The distance from the centre of the pattern to A is 4.1 x 10–2 m. The [2 marks]
distance from the screen to the slits is 7.0 m.

Calculate the width of each slit.

8c. Calculate the separation of the two slits. [2 marks]

The double slit is replaced by a diffraction grating that has 600 lines per
millimetre. The resulting pattern on the screen is shown.

8d. State and explain the differences between the pattern on the screen due [3 marks]
to the grating and the pattern due to the double slit.

8e. The yellow light is made from two very similar wavelengths that [3 marks]
produce two lines in the spectrum of sodium. The wavelengths are
588.995 nm and 589.592 nm. These two lines can just be resolved in the second-
order spectrum of this diffraction grating. Determine the beam width of the light
incident on the diffraction grating.
 Monochromatic light is incident normally on four thin, parallel, rectangular slits.

The graph shows the variation with diffraction angle θ of the intensity of light I at
a distant screen.

I0 is the intensity of the light at the middle of the screen from one slit.

9a. Explain why the intensity of light at θ=0 is 16I0. [3 marks]

9b. The width of each slit is 1.0μm. Use the graph to [4 marks]
(i) estimate the wavelength of light.
(ii) determine the separation of two consecutive slits.
9c. The arrangement is modified so that the number of slits becomes very [4 marks]
large. Their separation and width stay the same.
(i) State two changes to the graph on page 20 as a result of these modifications.
(ii) A diffraction grating is used to resolve two lines in the spectrum of sodium in
the second order. The two lines have wavelengths 588.995nm and 589.592nm.
Determine the minimum number of slits in the grating that will enable the two
lines to be resolved.

This question is about the properties of waves.

Microwaves from a microwave transmitter are reflected from two parallel sheets,
A and B. Sheet A partially reflects microwave energy while allowing some to pass
through. All of the microwave energy incident on sheet B is reflected.

Sheet A is fixed and sheet B is moved towards it. While sheet B is moving, the
intensity of the signal detected at the receiver goes through a series of maximum
and minimum values.

10a. Outline why a minimum in the intensity occurs for certain positions of [3 marks]
sheet B.

10b. The apparatus is arranged to demonstrate diffraction effects. [3 marks]

The microwaves emerge from the transmitter through an aperture that acts as a
single slit.
(i) Outline what is meant by diffraction.
(ii) A maximum signal strength is observed at P. When the receiver is moved
through an angle θ, a first minimum is observed. The width of the aperture of the
transmitter is 60 mm. Estimate the value of θ.
10c. Microwaves can be used to demonstrate polarization effects. Outline [2 marks]
why an ultrasound receiver and transmitter cannot be used to
demonstrate polarization.

This question is about diffraction and resolution.

Monochromatic light is incident on a narrow rectangular slit.

The light is observed on a screen far from the slit. The graph shows the variation
with angle θ of the relative intensity for light of wavelength 7.0×10–7m.

11a. Estimate the width of the slit. [2 marks]

11b. On the graph, sketch the variation of the relative intensity with θ when [1 mark]
the wavelength of the light is reduced.
 11c. State and explain, with reference to your sketch in (b), whether it is [2 marks]
easier to resolve two objects in blue light or in red light.

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