INTRODUCTION

This book is based on our experience over the past few

years. This material covers extensively the fundamental
principles and concepts involved, solved problems which
highlight the application of these concepts, exercises and
assignments for practice by the students.

In order to get maximum benefit from this material, ‘word of

Advice’ given overleaf has to be carefully followed.

The book besides IITJEE will also prove useful to students

for other Engineering examinations as well as their school
curriculum.

Wishing you all success.

 A WORD OF ADVICE

 Try to do the solved problems and exercises given, after

completion of related topics in the chapter. Attempt the
assignments.

 The purpose of the assignments is to give you a practice in

solving various levels and varieties of problems. Each problem
has some important concept which it highlights. When you do a
problem from an assignment, make sure that you have completed
the study material, have committed the formulae to your memory
and have solved the solved problems (most of them on your own
before seeing the solution). Do not open the study material to
refer to formulae/theoretical concepts while doing the
assignment problems unless it is absolutely essential to do so.

 Do full justice to the exercises and assignment problems. Even

if you do not get the answer to a problem, keep trying on your
own and only approach your friends or teachers after making lot
of attempts.

 Do not look at the answer and try to work backwards. This would
defeat the purpose of doing the problem. Remember the purpose
of doing an assignment problem is not simply to get the answer
(it is only evidence that you solved it correctly) but to develop
your ability to think. Try to introduce twists and turns in given
problem to create similar problems.
 ABOUT THE CHAPTER

The colours of a rainbow, the glistening dew-drop on a

rosebud, the smile on the face of a loved one are moments
we have cherished for centuries. Modern man, equipped
with a camera, has captured it for posterity.

Today we communicate the most profound ideas through

pictures, still or in motion; we have discovered our
universe from the microscopic viruses to the largest galaxy;
we make the fastest microchips - all using precision optics.

The science of optics is by far an important part of our life

and our economy - it makes sense to have an entire chapter
on Optics.
 CONTENT
JEE Syllabus ...... …1
Wave Optics ..........1
Newton’s Corpuscular Theory ..........5
Diffraction ..........9
Polarization ........11
Solved Problems ........17
Subjective ........17
Objective ........21
Exercise -1 ........23
Electromagnetic Wave ........24
Maxwell’s Equation ........25
Transverse Nature Of Electromagnetic Wave ........26
Hertz Experiment ........29
Electromagnetic Spectrum ........30
X-rays ........31
Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves in Atmosphere ........32
Solved Problems ........33
Subjective ........33
Objective ........35
Exercise -2 ........36
Answers to Exercises .... …37
Concepts and Formulae at a Glance .... …38
Chapter Practice Problems ........41
Assignments ........44
Section-I ........44
Section-II ........45
Section-III ........55
Answers to Chapter Practice Problems ........56
Answers to Assignments .... …57
WAVE OPTICS
Syllabus

Wave nature of light, Interference, Young’s double slit

experiment, Diffraction, Polarization and EM waves.

Wave Optics
It is a wave theory of light to explain the B A B
propagation of light and various other aspects Point A
v
concerning light. A
source
It states that each point on the original wavefront is A v
Original
a secondary point source, emitting radiation of the wavefront
same frequency as of the source, with a speed A New v
Secondary A
depending on the medium. The new wavefront is wavefront
wavefront
the surface tangential to all the secondary wavelets Propagation of
produced by these secondary point sources in the Spherical wavefronts originating Plane wavefront
from a point source
forward direction.
The construction can easily be used to show the effects of rectilinear propagation, reflection and
refraction. Huygens’ principle also gives good explanations of interference and diffraction-although
Huygens himself conceived the light waves as longitudinal in nature and could not explain polarization.

Wavefronts and Rays of Light

Wavelets: As per Huygens’ principal, each point on the original wavefront is a secondary point source.
The waves being emitted from these secondary point sources are called wavelets.
Wavefronts: A wavefront is the locus of adjacent points having the same phase of oscillation.
Ray of light: A ray is the straight line joining the mean positions of oscillations of the elements of a wave.
It thus gives the direction of propagation of the wave.

In an isotropic medium, the rays are normal to the wavefront. In general, rays are the shortest optical
paths between wavefronts.
Optic means pertaining to the sense of sight or vision.
Wavefronts in various cases are discussed below.

(i) Light emerging from a point source: Wavefronts are spherical with
point source at their centre as shown by circles 1, 2, 3, and 4. Rays
are radial as shown by arrows.

1
2
3
4

(ii) Light coming out from an incandescent straight wire: Wavefronts 1, 2,

and 3 are cylindrical and coaxial with the straight source as their
common axis. 1 2 3

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 2

(iii) Light emerging out from a narrow straight single slit:

Wavefronts will be semi-cylindrical as shown.

(iv) When light source is emitting parallel rays, or when the light is
coming from a very far off source: Wavefronts will be plane as
shown.
Plane wavefronts

In the following figures, we can see some of the important

wavefronts after reflection and refraction.

Incident wave front Concave mirror

N
G
B
i
P Medium-1 C
i E
Medium-2

Refracted wavefront
Plane incident wave fronts
(which is plane) Reflected wave fronts
(which are converging)
A

P Q
i1

i2 = e

B C

Incident Wavefront Transmitted

wavefront Inside the prism wavefront
Incident wave fronts Refracted wave fronts
(which are plane) (which are converging)

Like other waves, light waves are also associated with a disturbance, which consists of oscillating electric
and magnetic fields. The electric field associated with a light wave can be expressed in the form:

E = Eo[sin(t  kx + o)], where , k and o have their usual meaning.

Interference of light
With sound waves, as we have studied, the interference pattern can be observed without much difficulty
because the two interfering waves maintain a constant phase relationship; this is also the case with the
microwaves. However, for light waves, due to the very process of emission, which is at the atomic level,
one cannot observe interference between the waves from two independent sources.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 3

 When two waves with amplitudes A1 and A2 superimpose at a point, the amplitude of resultant wave
is given by
A= A12  A 22  2A1A 2 cos 
where  is the phase difference between the two waves at that point.
 Intensity  A2. Hence, for I to be constant,  must be constant.
 Intensity (I) = I1 + I2 + 2 I1I2 cos .
 When  changes with time arbitrarily at a point, the intensity = I1 + I2.
 When  does not change with time, we get an intensity pattern that does not change with time and the
sources are said to be coherent. Coherent sources have a constant phase relationship in time.
 The intensity at a point becomes a maximum when  = 2n and there is constructive interference.
where n = 0, 1, 2, . . .
 If  = (2n  1), there is destructive interference. (Hence, n is a non-negative integer)

Determination of phase difference

The phase difference between two waves at a point will depend upon:
(a) the difference in path lengths of the two waves from their respective sources,
(b) the refractive index of the medium,
(c) initial phase difference, between the sources, if any, and
(d) reflections, if any, in the path followed by the waves.
 In the case of light waves, the phase difference on account of path difference
Optical path difference
= 2 , where  is the wavelength in free space.

 Geometrical path difference
= 2

 In the case of reflection, the reflected disturbance differs in phase by  with respect to the incident
one if the wave is incident on a denser medium from a rarer medium. No such change of phase
occurs when the wave is reflected in going from a denser medium to a rarer medium.

Young’s double slit experiment

In the adjacent diagram, S, S1 and S2 are narrow
P
slits which are parallel to each other. As S is
S1
narrow, it diffracts the light that falls on it and
illuminates both S1 and S2. Diffraction also takes S d
place at S1 and S2 and interference occurs in the O
region where the light from S1 overlaps that from monochromati
c light source
S2. A series of alternately bright and dark bands S2
can be observed on a screen placed in this region
of overlap. Single slit Double slit
D
Screen
2
Now, consider a point P on the screen. The phase difference between the waves at P is  = Po

where Po is optical path difference.
Po = Pg ; Pg being the geometrical path difference.
2
 

S2 P  S1P (here  = 1 in air)

As D >> d,
S2P  S1P  d sin 
sin   tan  (= y/D) [for very small ]

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 4

2  dy  P
Thus,  =
  D 
S1
For constructive interference, y
 = 2n (n = 0, 1, 2, ...)

2  dy  D d
O
  2n  y = n
  D  d
Similarly, for destructive interference, S2 dsin
D
y = (2n  1) (n = 1, 2, ...) D
2d

Fringe width (w)

It is the separation of two consecutive maximas or two consecutive minimas.
Near the centre O [where  is very small],
th
w = yn+1  yn [yn gives the position of n maxima on screen]
= D/d

Intensity variation on screen.

If A and Io represent amplitude of each wave Intensity
and the associated intensity on screen, then 4I0
the resultant intensity at a point on the screen
corresponding to the angular position  as in
above figure, is given by
3 2  O  2 3 
2 2(d sin )
I = 4Io cos , where  =
2 

Illustration 1: The intensity of the light coming from one of the slits in a Young's double slit experiment
is double the intensity from the other slit. Find the ratio of the maximum intensity to the
minimum intensity in the interference fringe pattern observed.

2
Imax  l1  l2 
Solution:  
Imin  l1  l2 
2
Imax  2  1
As I1 = 2I2   
Imin  2  1

Illustration 2: The width of one of the two slits in a Young's double slit experiment is double of the other
slit. Assuming that the amplitude of the light coming from a slit is proportional to the slit
width, find the ratio of the maximum to minimum intensity in the interference pattern.

Solution: Amplitudes from the slits are A and 2A.

Amax = A + 2A = 3A and Amin = 2A  A = A
2
Imax A max
 9
Imin A 2min

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 5

Displacement of fringes
When a film of thickness 't' and refractive index '' is introduced in the path of one of the source of light,
then fringe shift occurs as the optical path difference changes.
Optical path difference at P
, t P
= S2P  [S1P + t – t] = S2P  S1P  (  1)t
= yd/D  (  1)t S1
th D(  1)t
 n fringe is shifted by y 
d
D w S2
As w  , y  (  1)t
d 

Illustration 3: Monochromatic light of wavelength 600 nm is used in a YDSE. One of the slits is covered
by a transparent sheet of thickness 1.8  105 m made of a material of refractive index
1.6. How many fringes will shift due to the introduction of the sheet?

w
Solution: As derived earlier, the total fringe shift = (  1)t .

As each fringe width = w,
total fringe shift
The number of fringes that will shift =
fringe width
w
(  1)t
(  1)t (1.6  1)  1.8  10 5 m
     18
w  600  109 m

Illustration 4: A thin sheet of glass ( = 1.520) is introduced normally in the path of one of the two
interfering waves. The central bright fringe is observed to shift to the position originally
occupied by the fifth bright fringe. If  = 5890Å, find the thickness of the glass sheet.

Solution: x0 = displacement of images = 5w

D D
 (  1)t  5 
d d
5 5  5890  108
t 
 1 1.52  1
4
t = 5.66  10 cm.

NEWTON’S CORPUSCULAR THEORY

This theory was proposed by Sir Isacc Newton in 1678. According to this theory, known as corpuscular
theory, light consists of stream of extremely light and tiny material particles known as corpuscles. These
particles are shot out by every point of a source of light with a very high speed. When the corpuscles,
which travel in straight lines, fall on the retina of the eye, they produce the sensation of vision. According
to Newton, different colours of light were due to different sizes of corpuscles.

The theory could explain the propagation of light through vacuum and phenomenon of reflection and
refraction. But the theory could not explain the phenomena of interference, diffraction and polarisation. It
could not explain why velocity of light is lesser in a denser medium compared to vacuum.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 6

Origin of The Wave Theory

As only few physical phenomenon could be explained by corpuscular theory, Christian Huygens proposed
the wave aspect of light. According to which, a luminous body is a source of disturbance in a hypothetical
medium called ether. The medium assumed to be spread in the entire space. The disturbance from the
source is propagated in the form of waves through ether and the energy is distributed equally in all
directions. Huygens assumed these waves to be longitudinal in which the vibration of particle of the
medium is parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave.

Huygens successfully explained the linear propagation of light, phenomenon of reflection, refraction and
double refraction. However, the phenomenon of polarisation discovered by him could not be explained.
Later, Fresnel and Young suggested that light waves are transverse.

Maxwell’s Electromagnetic Theory

According to Maxwell, light is not a mechanical wave but electromagnetic in character, i.e. it propagates
as transverse non-mechanical wave at speed c in free space given by
1
c= = 3  108 m/s.
 0 0
 
In it electric vector E and magnetic vector B are related to each other through the relation
E/B = c
E and B are mutually perpendicular and transverse to the direction of propagation of light.

Wave front and wave normal

A wave front can be defined as the locus of all the points of the medium to which the waves reach
simultaneously, so that all the points vibrate in the same phase. If the distance of the source is small, the
wave-front is spherical. For large distance, parallel beam of light gives rise to a plane wave front. A
linear source, like an illuminated slit produces a cylindrical wavefront.

Wave normal
A perpendicular drawn to the surface of a wave-
front at any point, in the direction of propagation
of light, is called a wave normal. A wave front
carries light energy in a direction perpendicular to S
its surface. This direction is represented by a
wave normal. The direction in which light travels
is also called a ray of light. Thus, a wave normal
is same as a ray of light. (a) (b)

The successive positions of a spherical wave-front originating from a point source S and the
corresponding wave normal are shown in fig. (a). It can be seen that the wave normal or rays are radial
in the case of a spherical wave-front. In figure (b), the successive positions of a plane wave-front travel
from left to right and the corresponding wave normal are shown. The wave normal or rays in this case
are parallel to each other.

Huygens’ Principle:
1. Every point on a wave-front acts as a secondary source of light and sends out secondary
wavelets in all directions. They are effective only in the forward sense. The waves travel with the
speed of light in the medium.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 7

2. The position of the wave-front at a later instant is given by the surface of tangency or envelope of
all the secondary wavelets at that instant. (An envelope is a curve tangential to a family of
surfaces).
Refer to fig (a). XY is a portion of sphere of radius x2 x x1
vt. Here v is the velocity of propagation of light x x1
x2
wave. XY is called the primary wave-front. Similar
is the case in figure (b).

y2
y y1 y2 y y1
Fig-(a) Fig-(b)

Reflection of a plane wave-front at a plane surface:

PQ is a plane reflecting surface (say a F N G
plane mirror). A plane wave-front AB E H
bounded by two rays (wave-normals)
EA and FB is approaching PQ obliquely.
When AB touches the surface PQ at A, D
B
i r
then according to Huygens’ principle, A P Q
acts like a secondary source and sends
A C
out secondary wavelets traveling in the
same medium only. As time progresses
different points on AB will come in
contact with PQ and secondary wavelets will start from these points. If the disturbance at B reaches point
C in time t, then the distance BC = Vt, where V is the speed of light in the medium.
In the same time, the secondary waves starting from A, travel the distance Vt. With centre A and radius
BC = Vt. Draw a hemispherical surface (semi circle in two dimensions) and draw a tangent CD to this
surface.
The points C and D are in the same phase. Hence, CD represents the reflected wave-front at the time t
and it moves parallel to itself. Join AD, AG and CH are the reflected rays. Draw AN  PQ.
In triangles ABC and ADC
(1) AC is common (2), AD = BC = Vt (by construction), (3) ABC = ADC = 900.
The triangles are congruent  BAC =  ACD.
From the figure,
 EAN = i, NAD = r,
0
EAN = i =  BAC [  EAN +  NAB = NAB +  BAC = 90 ]
0
NAD = r = ACD. [  NAD + DAC = DAC +  ACD = 90 ]
 i=r
Thus, we get the following laws of reflection.
(i) The angle of incidence = angle of reflection.
(ii) Similarly, from the figure we find that the incident ray and the reflected ray lie on the opposite sides of
the normal at the point of incidence and all three lie in the same plane (plane of the paper).
Thus, the laws of reflection are proved on the basis of Huygens’ wave theory.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 8

Refraction of a plane wave-front at a plane surface:

A plane wavefront AB bounded by the wave F N
normals (rays) EA and FB is approaching
E
obliquely the surface PQ. By Huygens’
principle when the wavefront touches PQ at A,
the point A becomes a secondary source and
sends out secondary wavelets in all directions. B Medium M 1 (air)
But in the case of refraction of light, we i i
P Q
consider the secondary wavelets traveling in
the medium M2 only. If the disturbance at B r C
A
Medium M 2
reaches C in time t then BC = V1 t. In the (glass)
same time, secondary wavelets from A travel a D
distance V2t in M2.

H
M G
With centre A and radius V2t, draw a hemi-spherical surface (semicircle in two dimensios) in M2. Through
C, draw the tangent CD to this wavefront. In time t, different points on AB come in contact at various
points between A and C and they become the secondary sources. CD is tangential to all the secondary
wavelets emitted by the secondary sources and it represents the refracted wavefront. It moves parallel to
itself.
Join A and D then AD = V2t
Draw NAM  PQ. From the figure
EAN = i =  BAC
MAD = r =  ACD
BC
In ABC: sin i =
AC
AD
In ADC; sin r =
AC
sini BC / AC
 
sinr AD / AC
sini BC V1t V
    1
sinr AD V2 t V2
sini
Since V1 and V2 are constants in the two media, = constant
sinr
sini
This is Snell’s law and the ratio is known as the refractive index of the second medium (M2) w.r.t.
sinr
the first medium (M1). It is denoted by 1n2.
sini V1
Thus, 1n2 = 
sinr V2
Thus Snell’s law is proved.
Similarly, from the figure we find that the incident ray, the refracted ray and the normal to the refracting
surface at the point of incidence lie in the same plane.
Note 1: By definition,
c
Absolute refractive index, n =
V
Where c = speed of light (of a given frequency) in vacuum, and
V = speed of light (of the same frequency) in the medium.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 9

c c
n1 = ; n2 
V1 V2
V1 n2
1n2 = 
V2 n1
Note 2: Frequency () of radiation is determined by the source. On refraction, frequency of radiation
does not change, but speed and wavelength are changed.
Thus V1 = 1 (in medium 1)
And V2 =  2 (in medium 2)
V1 1

V2  2
n2 sini V1 1
Thus, 1n2 =   
n1 sinr V2  2
For all practical purposes, speed of light in air (Va)  c.
Thus, the laws of refraction are proved.
Illustration 5: Light is incident on a glass slab making an angle of 300 with the surface. If the speed of
light in air is 3  108 m/s and the refractive index of glass is 1.5, find:
(i) the angle of refraction.
(ii) the speed of light in glass.
Solution: Given that,
Vair = 3  108 m/s
ng = 1.5
i = 90 – 30 = 600
sini
(i) ang =
sinr
sin 600 3/2
 sin r = =
1.5 3/2
 r = 350 16
Vair
(ii) ang =
Vglass
Vair
or, Vglass =  2  108 m / s .
ng

DIFFRACTION
It is a matter of common experience that the path of
light entering a dark room through a hole illuminated by
sunlight is straight. This phenomenon of straight line
motion can be explained by Newton’s corpuscular M
A
M1
M
theory. But it has been observed that when a beam of M1
light passed through a small opening, it spreads to S N
N N1 N1
some extent into the region of geometrical shadow B
also. If the light energy is propagated in the form of
waves, then similar to sound waves one would expect
bending of a beam of light round the edges of an
opaque obstacle or illumination of the geometrical
shadow.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 10

(a) Diffraction is the bending or spreading of waves that encounter an

object ( a barrier or an opening) in their path.
(b) In Fresnel class of diffraction, the source and/or screen are at a finite
distance from the aperture.
(c) In Fraunhoffer class of diffraction, the source and screen are at
infinite distance from the diffracting aperture. Fraunhoffer is a special
case of Fresnel diffraction.

Single Slit Fraunhoffer Diffraction

In order to find the intensity at point P on the screen as shown in the figure the slit of width 'a' is divided
into N parallel strips of width x. Each strip then acts as a radiator of Huygen's wavelets and produces a
characteristic wave disturbance at P, whose position on the screen for a particular arrangement of
apparatus can be described by the angle .
The amplitudes Eo of the wave disturbances at P P
from the various strips may be taken as equal if is
not too large.

The intensity is proportional to the square of the
amplitude. If Im represents the intensity at O, its 
O
a
value at P is
2
 sin  
l =lm   ;
   f
  a sin 
where  
2 

A minimum occurs when, sin  = 0 and I

  0, so  = n,
 a sin 
  n  a sin   n

Angular width of central maxima of diffraction pattern
= 21 = 2 sin-1(/a) 3/a 2/a /a 0 /a 2/a 3/a 
[ 1 gives the angular position of first minima]
The concept of diffraction is also useful in deciding the resolving power of optical instruments.

Illustration 6: Light of wavelength 6  10-5cm falls on a screen at a distance of 100 cm from a narrow
slit. Find the width of the slit if the first minima lies 1mm on either side of the central
maximum.
-5
Solution: Here n = 1,  = 6  10 cm.
Distance of screen from slit = 100 cm.
Distance of first minimum from central maxima = 0.1 cm.
Dist ance of 1st minima from the central max ima
Sin  =
Dis tance of the screen from the slit
0.1 1
1 = 
100 1000
We know that a sin  = n

a= = 0.06 cm.
1

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 11

Rayleigh Criterion
According to Rayleigh criterion, when the central maximum in the diffraction pattern of one point source
falls over the first minimum in the diffraction pattern of the other point source. Then the two point sources
are said to have been resolved by the optical instrument.

Resolving power of microscope

The resolving power of microscope is its ability to form separate images of two point objects lying close
together.
The resolving power of a microscope is defined as the reciprocal of the distance between two objects
which can be just revolved when seen through the microscope.
1 2 sin  1 2u sin 
 Resolving power of microscope =  = 
d  d 
Where
(i)  is the refractive index of the medium between the object and the objective of microscope.
(ii)  is the wavelength of the light.
(iii) The angle  subtended by the radius of the objective on one of the objects.

Resolving power of a telescope

The resolving power of a telescope is the reciprocal of the smallest angular separation between two
distinct objects whose images are separated in the telescope. This is given by
1.22
d =
a
Where d is the angle subtended by the point object at the objective.  is the wavelength of light used
and a is the diameter of the telescope objective.
Clearly, a telescope having larger aperture objective gives a high resolving power.
Illustration 7: Assume that the mean wavelength of white light is 555 nm. Estimate the smallest angular
separation of the two stars which can be just resolved by the telescope. Given the
diameter of the objective of an astromical telescope is 25 cm.
1.22
Solution: Since,  =
a
1.22  555  109
 = rad
0.25
 = 2.7  10-6 rad.

POLARIZATION
An ordinary beam of light consist of a large number of waves emitted by the atoms or molecules of the

light source. Each atom produces a wave with its own orientation of electric vector E . Since, all

directions of vibrations of E are equally probably therefore resultant electromagnetic wave is called un-
polarized light and it is symmetrical about the direction of wave propagation as shown in figure (A).
z

y E
Direction of
wave motion X
X
Plane of polarisation
Unpolarised light Plane polarised light
(A) (B)

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 12

However, if by some means we confine the vibrations of electric vector in one direction perpendicular to
the direction of wave motion, the light is said to be plane polarized or linearly polarized as shown in the
figure (B).
Hence the phenomenon of confining the vibrations of a wave in a specific direction perpendicular to the
direction of wave motion is called polarization. The plane containing the optical axis in which the
vibrations occur is known as plane of vibration. The plane which is at right angles to the plane of vibration
and which contains the direction of propagation of the polarized light is known as plane of polarization.
For the shape of convenient representation, the vibrations may be assumed to be resolved into two
rectangular components, in the planes of the paper and perpendicular to the plane of paper.

The vibrations in the plane of paper are

represented by double arrow straight lines.
While the vibrations perpendicular to the
plane of paper are represented by dots as
shown in figure.

Representation of natural light

Natural light

Polarizing filter: The emitted light is a random mixture of waves linearly polarized in all possible
transverse directions. Such light is called unpolarised light or natural light. To create polarized light from
unpolarised natural light requires a filter that is analogous to the slot for mechanical waves.
Analyzer
Polarizer
E cos 
Incident E cos 
natural 
light E


Photocell
Light linearly
polarized
parallel to axis
Light linearly of analyzer
polarized
parallel to axis
of polarizer

The most common polarizing filter for visible light is a material known by the trade name Polaroid, widely
used for sunglasses and polarizing filter for camera lenses.
Incident natural light
Polaroid filter
Polarizing axis

Light with vertical

polarization partially
absorbed
Light with horizontal
polarization almost
completely absorbed

Linearly polarized
transmitted light
This material incorporates substances that have dichroism, a selective absorption in which one of the
polarized component is absorbed much more strongly that the other. A Polaroid filter transmits 80 % or

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 13

more of the intensity of a wave that is polarized parallel to a certain axis in the material, called the
polarizing axis, but only 1 % or less for waves that are polarized perpendicular to the axis. In one type of
Polaroid filter, long – chain molecules within the filter are oriented with their axis perpendicular to the
polarizing axis. These molecules preferentially absort light that is polarized along their lengths.

An ideal polarizing filter passes 100 % of the incident light that it polarized in the direction of filter’s
polarizing axis but completely blocks all light that is polarized perpendicular to this axis.

When unpolarised light is incident on an ideal polarizer, the intensity of the transmitted light is exactly half
that of the incident unpolarised light, no matter how the polarizing axis is oriented. Here’s why we can

resolve the E field of the incident wave into a component parallel to the polarizing axis and a component
perpendicular to it. Because the incident light is a random mixture of all sates of polarization, these two
components are, on average, equal.

What happens when the linearly polarized light emerging from a polarizer passes through a second
polarizer. Consider the general case in which the polarizing axis of the second polarizer or analyzer
makes an angle  with the polarizing axis of first polarizer.
Then I = Imax cos2 
y


E (E y )max Ey
z x
(Ey)max
Ez (Ez)max

t=0 t = T/8 t = T/4 t = 3T/8 t = T/4

(E2)max
z

t = 5T/8 t = 3T/8 t = 7T/4 t=T

Since the intensity of an electromagnetic wave is proportional to the square of the amplitude of the wave,
the ratio of transmitted to incident amplitude is cos , so the ratio of transmitted to incident intensity is
cos2 

Polarization by reflection: Unpolarized light can be polarized, partially or totally, by reflection. When
unpolarised natural light is incident on a reflecting surface between two transparent optical materials, then

for the most of the incident, waves, for which the electric – field vector E is perpendicular to the plane of

incidence are refracted more strongly than those for which E lies in this plane. In this case the reflected
light is practically polarized in the direction perpendicular to the plane of incidence. But at one particular

angle of incidence called the polarizing angle p, the light for which E lies in the plane of incidence is not

reflected at all but is completely refracted. At this same angle of incidence the light for which E is
perpendicular to the plane of incidence is partially reflected and partially reflected and partially refracted.
The refracted light is therefore completely polarized perpendicular to the plane of incidence.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 14
1/ If natural light is
incident at the 2. …. Then the reflected
polarizing angle….. light is 100% polarized
Normal perpendicular to the plane
of incidence ….

Plane of
incidence
na
P P

Reflecting surface

nb
b

3. …. And the transmitted light

is partially polarized parallel to
the plane of incidence.

If natural light is incident at the polarizing angle.

Brewster’s law: When the angle of incidence is equal to the polarizing angle ip the reflected ray and
refracted ray are perpendicular to each other. In this case the angle of refraction rc becomes the
complement of ip, so rc = 900 – ip
 1 sinip = 2 sin (900 – ip)
 tan ip = 2 / 1

Reflected Light
Polarization by Refraction
By refraction method, a pile of glass is formed by taking 20 to
30 microscope slides and light is made to be incident at
Refracted light
polarizing angle (570). In accordance with Brewster law, the 57
reflected light will be plane polarized with vibrations
perpendicular to plane of incidence and the transmitted light 57
will be partially polarized. Since in one reflection about 15 %
of the light with vibration perpendicular to plane of paper is Fig. 5.52
reflected, therefore after passing through a number of plates
as shown in figure emerging light will become plane polarized
with vibrations in the plane of paper.

Double Refraction: When a ray light is refracted by a crystal of calcite it gives two refracted rays. This
phenomenon is called double refraction.
When a ray of light AB is incident on the calcite crystal making an angle of incidence = i, it is refracted
along two paths inside the crystal as shown in figure.

A
i

r2 r1
D
C
O
Calcite crystal E

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 15

(i) along BC making an angle of refraction = r2 and

(ii) along BD making an angle of refraction = r1. These two rays emerge out along DO and CE which
sini
are parallel. The ordinary ray (O-ray) has a refractive index 0 = and the extraordinary ray
sinr1
sini
(e – ray) has a refractive index e = .
sinr2
The o-ray and the e-ray travel with the same speed along a particular direction inside the crystal called
the optic axis.

Dichroism
There are certain crystals and minerals which are doubly refracting and have the property of absorbing
the ordinary and extraordinary rays unequally. In this way, plane polarized light is produced. The crystals
showing this property are said to be dichroic and the phenomenon is known as dichroism. Tourmaline is
a dichroic crystal and absorbs the ordinary ray completely. But these crystals are not stable and are
affected by slightly strain. To remove this difficulty, a polarizer in the forms of large sheets is developed
which is called Polaroid.

Polorids
Herapathite crystals are embedded in a volatile viscous medium and the crystals are aligned with their
optics axes parallel. The layer of crystals are mounted between glass sheets so that the crystals are not
spoilt.
It is a sheet of polariser and also known as Polaroid.
Two Polaroid films mounted separately in rings between thin glass plates are used on the parallel position
as shown in figure (a) light vibrating in the plane indicated by parallel lines is transmitted. In the crossed
position as shown in figure (b). the axes of the polaroids are perpendicular to each other. So no light is
transmitted.

Parallel- polaroids Closed-polaroids

(A) (B)

Intensity of light emerging from a Polaroid z

2
If a plane polarized light of light intensity I0 (=kA ) is incident on a
polaroid and its vibrations of amplitude A make an angle  with the
transmission axis, then the component of vibrations parallel to
transmission axis, will be A cos while perpendicular to it will be A sin  A cos 
y
A sin 

Now, Polaroid will pass only those vibrations which are parallel to its transmission axis.
i.e. A cos , so the intensity of emergent light will be
I = k(A cos)2 = kA2cos2
I = I0 cos2 [  I0 = kA2 ]
This law is called Malus law.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
16

Illustration 8: Two polarizing sheets are placed with their planes parallel, so that light intensity
transmitted is maximum. Through what angle must either sheet be turned so that light
intensity drops to half the maximum value ?

Solution: According to law of Malus

I = I0 cos2 
I 1
 cos2 = =
I0 2
1
 cos  = 
2
  =  450 or  1350
The effect will be same when any of the two sheets is turned through  in any direction.

Uses of Polaroids
Polaroids are widely used as polarizing sun glass. Polaroid films are used to produce three –
dimensional moving pictures. They are also used to eliminate the head light glare in motor cars.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 17

SOLVED PROBLEMS
SUBJECTIVE

Problem 1: In YDSE if the source consists of two wavelengths 1 = 4002 Å and 2 = 4006 Å, find the
minimum order such that dark fringes coincide, if d = 1 cm and D = 1 m.

2n1  1  4006 2003

Solution: = 2  
2n2  1 1 4002 2001
 n1 = 1001, n2 = 1000

Problem 2: In the YDSE conducted with white light P2

(4000 Å  7000 Å), consider two points S1 y2 = 1.6mm
P1 and P2 on the screen at y1 = 0.2 mm d=1cm P1
y1 = 0.2mm
and y2 = 1.6 mm, respectively.
Determine the wavelengths which form S2
4m
maxima at these points.

Solution: The optical path difference at P1 is

dy1  10 
  0.2   5  10 mm  5000 Å 
4
p1 = 
D  4000 
In the visible range, 4000 Å  7000 Å
5000 5000
n1 =  1.25 and n2   0.714
4000 7000
The only integer between 0.714 and 1.25 is 1
 The wavelength which forms maxima at P is  = 5000 Å
For the point P2,
dy  10 
 1.6   4  10 mm  40000 Å
3
p2 = 2  
D  4000 
40000 40000
Here, n1 =  10 and n2   5.71
4000 7000
The integers between 5.71 and 10 are 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
 The wavelengths which form maxima at P2 are
1 = 4000 Å for n = 10
2 = 4444 Å for n=9
3 = 5000 Å for n=8
4 = 5714 Å for n=7
5 = 6666 Å for n=6
Problem 3: Two monochromatic coherent sources of P
wavelength 5000 Å are placed along the
line normal to the screen as shown in the
figure. O
(a) Determine the condition for maxima at S1 S2
the point P.
d D
(b) Find the order of the central bright
fringe if d = 0.5 mm, D = 1 m.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
18

Solution: (a) The optical path difference at P is P

p = S1P  S2P = d cos 
y
2
Since cos  = 1   O
2
S1 S2
when  is small.
 2  d D
Therefore, p = d  1  
 2 

 y2 
= d 1  2
 where D + d  D
 2D 
th
For n maxima, p = n
 n 
 y = D 2 1  
 d 
(b) At the central maxima,  = 0
 p = d = n
d 0.5
or n =   1000
 0.5  103
Problem 4: The light of wavelength 600 nm is incident normally on a slit of width 3mm. Calculate the
linear width of central maximum on a screen kept 3m away from the solid.
Solution: Here,  = 600 nm = 6  10-7 m
a = 3mm = 3  10-3 m,
D = 3m
2D
 width of central maximum =
a
2  3  6  10 7
= 3
= 12  10-4 m = 1.2 mn
3  10
Problem 5: Light waves can be polarised while sound waves cannot, why?
Solution: Because light waves are transverse in nature while sound waves are longitudinal.
Polarisation of wave means separation of vibrations taking place in one direction from the
vibrations taking place in all directions in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the
wave. In a longitudinal wave the vibration cannot separate out in one particular direction
perpendicular to the direction of propagation. Therefore polarisation is never observed in
sound waves.
Problem 6: Certain sunglasses use a polarizing material to reduce the intensity of light reflected from
shiny surfaces, such as water or the hood of a car. What orientation of polarization
should the material have in order to be most effective?
Solution: The glare can be avoided by wearing the sun glass of material whose polarisation axis is
vertical. In this situation most of the polarised light reflected from the object will be cut off.

Problem 7: When light is incident on a transparent dielectric at the Brewester angle (tan p =n), the
reflected light proves to be completely polarized. Is the refracted light also completely
polarized in this case?
Solution: Refracted light is polarized only partially. The light that is practically completely polarized
can be obtained if one uses a pile of parallel plates whose surfaces are oriented at the
Brewester angle to the incident light. Light becomes partially polarized as it is refracted
by the first plate and as it travels from one plate to another, it becomes more and more
polarized.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 19

Problem 8: Two polaroids are placed at 90 to each other and the transmitted intensity is zero. What
happens when one more polaroid is placed between these two bisecting the angle
between them?
Solution: The situation is shown in the figure. When a 45
third Polaroid is placed between the two E0 cos 45
Polaroid, the transmission axis of Polaroid 3
will make an angle of 45 is clockwise E0
direction.
The intensity of the transmitted light through 1
3
I
Polaroid 3 is I3  I0 cos2 45  0 2 E0 cos 45
2
When this plane polarised light of intensity (I0/2) is incident on the polaroid 2, the intensity
of the transmitted polarised wave will be
I I
I2  I3 cos2 45  0 cos2 45  0 , here I0 is the intensity of polarised light after
2 4
passing through polariser 1.

Problem 9: Why is diffraction of sound waves easier to observe than diffraction of light waves?

Solution: The diffraction phenomena occur when the size of the obstacle is of the order of the
wavelength of the waves. The wavelength of light waves ( 106 m) is very small as
compared to the size of the obstacle around us, light cannot be diffracted readily. On the
other hand, the wavelength of sound waves is of the order of such obstacles, it gets
diffracted easily.

Problem 10: Radiowaves diffract pronouncedly around buildings, while light waves, which are
electromagnetic waves, do not, why?

Solution: The diffraction phenomena occur when the size of the obstacle is of the order of the
wavelength of the waves. The Radiowaves, particularly short waves, have wavelengths
to the size of the building and other obstacles around us and hence they easily
comparable get diffracted. The same condition is not met out for the light waves and
therefore light waves are not diffracted by buildings.

Problem 11: Do you think that interference pattern in Young’s double slit experiment is the
consequence of the superposition of the diffracted waves from the two slits?

Solution: Yes. The interference pattern in the Young’s double slit experiment is the consequence of
superposition of the two diffracted waves from each slit. If the size of the aperture of the
slits is less than the wavelength of incident light wave, the size of maxima in interference
pattern will be of uniform intensity. However, if a  , the interference pattern will look like
a diffraction pattern with secondary maximum and secondary minimum.

Problem 12: The distance between the first and fifth minima of a single slit diffraction patterns is 0.40
mm with screen 50 cm away from the slit, using light of wavelength 550 nm. (a) Find the
slit width (b) Calculate the angle  of the first diffraction minimum.

Solution: (a) The directions of first and fifth minima are


Sin 1 =
a
5
and sin 5 =
a
Therefore

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
20

4
sin 5  sin 1 =
a
x5  x1 x
But sin 5  sin 1 = 
D D
Hence,
X 4 4D 4  50  102 m  550  10 9 m
 or a  =
D a X 0.40  10 3
or a = 2.75 mm

(b) The angle 1 of the first diffraction minimum is obtained from the following relation

sin 1 =
a
550  109 m
or sin 1 =
2.75  103 m
or 1 = sin1(2.0  104) = 0.01145

Problem 13: Find the intensities of the first three secondary maxima in the single-slit diffraction
pattern, measured relative to the intensity of the central maximum.

Solution: The condition for the secondary maxima is given by

 1
   m    , for m = 1, 2, 3
 2
Substituting this value in equation, we get
2
  1 
2  sin  m    
I  sin    2
   
I0      1 
  m  2   
 
I0
For m = 1, I 
22.2
I I
m = 2, I  0 and m = 3, I  0
61.7 121

Problem 14: Light of wavelength 589 nm passes through a narrow slit. The intensity falls to zero at an
angle of 0.22 on either side of the central maxima. Determine the width of the slit.

Solution: The direction of first minima is given by the relation

a sin 1 = 
Therefore, the slit width
 589  109 m
a  = 1.53  104 m
sin 1 sin 0.22

Problem 15: Two narrow slit are illuminated by a single monochromatic sources. Name the pattern
obtained on the screen. One of the slits is now completely covered. What is the name of
the pattern obtained now on the screen? Draw intensity pattern obtained in the two
cases. Also, write two differences between the patterns obtained in the above two cases.

Solution: When two narrow slits are illuminated by a single monochromatic source, the pattern
obtained on the screen is interference pattern consisting of alternate bright and dark
fringes.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 21

When one of the slits is covered completely, no interference occurs. What we obtained is
diffraction pattern due to a single slit.
Intensity pattern in the two cases are shown in the figure. (a) and (b), respectively.
Intensity Intensity

O O
Distance Distance
(a) (b)
Interference pattern Diffraction pattern
1. All bright fringes are equally bright 1. The brightness of successive bright
fringes from the centre goes on
decreasing.
2. Dark fringes are completely dark. 2. Dark fringes are not completely dark.

OBJECTIVE
Problem 1 The ratio of the intensity at the centre of a bright fringe to the intensity at a point one-
quarter of the distance between two fringes from the centre is
(A) 2 (B) 1/2
(C) 4 (D) 16

Solution: (A)
Two waves of a single source having an amplitude A interfere. The resulting amplitude
A r2  A12  A 22  2A1A 2 cos 
where A1 = A2 = A and  = phase difference between the waves
 Ir = I1 + I2 + 2 I1I2 cos 
When the maxima occurs at the center,  = 0
 Ir1  4I …(1)
Since the phase difference between two successive fringes is 2, the phase difference
between two points separated by a distance equal to one-quarter of the distance between
the two successive fringes is equal to
 1 
 = (2 )    radian
4 2
 / 2
 Ir2  4I cos2    2I …(2)
 2 
Ir 4 I
Using (1) and (2), 1  2
Ir2 2 I

Problem 2 Unpolarised light passes through two polaroids, the axis of one is vertical and that of the
other is at 45° to the vertical. Then, the intensity of the transmitted light is
I I
(A) 0 (B) 0
4 8
I
(C) I0 (D) 0
2
Solution: A

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
22

I0
The first polaroid eliminates half the light, so the intensity is reduced by half, i.e., I1 .
2
The light reaching the second polaroid is vertically polarised and so its intensity is
I
reduced to I2  I1(cos 45)2  1 .
2
I0
Thus, I2  , i.e. the transmitted light has an intensity one-fourth that of the original.
4
Problem 3 A slit of width d is placed in front of a lens of focal length 0.5 m and is illuminated
normally with a light of wavelength 5.89 × 107 m. The first diffraction minima on either
side of central diffraction maxima are separated by 2 × 103 m. The width of the slit is
(A) 2.945 × 104 m (B) 2.945 × 103 m
2
(C) 2.945 × 10 m (D) 2.945 × 101 m
Solution: A
For first diffraction minimum
d sin  = 
or d =  or  = /d
2  103 
   2  103 
2  0.5 d
5.89  10 7
 d  2.945  10 4 m.
2  103

Problem 4 Light is incident normally on a diffraction grating through which first-order diffraction is
seen at 32°. The second-order diffraction will be seen at
(A) 84° (B) 48°
(C) 64° (D) none of these

Solution: D
For second-order diffraction,
2
sin 2   2 sin 1 = 2 sin 32° > 1, which is not possible.
d
Hence, there is no second-order diffraction.
Problem 5 Light from a sodium lamp,  = 600 nm, is diffracted by a slit of width d = 0.60 mm. The
distance from the slit to the screen is D = 0.60 m. Then, the width of the central maximum
is
(A) 2.4 mm (B) 1.2 mm
(C) 0.6 mm (D) 4.8 mm
Solution: B
The angular position of m = 1 minima are given by P

sin    y
d 
d
y
 From the adjacent figure, sin   . Plane
y  D2
2
monochromatic D(>>d)
waves from
If y is the distance between the two m = 1 distant source
minima, the values of y that correspond to m = 1
minima are
y = (1/2)y

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 23

1
y
2  2D
   y 
2 d d2  2
1  2
 y   D
2 
If d  , d2   2  d
2D 2  0.60  600  10 9
 y    12  10 4  1.2 mm
d 0.6  103

EXERCISE -1
1. What is the shape of a wave-front when
(i) Light of the sun is reaching the earth.
(ii) Light is diverging from a slit.

2. (i) When a wave undergoes reflection at a rarer medium, what happens to its phase ?
(ii) When a wave undergoes reflection at a denser medium, what happens to its phase?

3. In Young’s double slit experiment, interference is produced due to slits distance

d metre apart. The fringe pattern is observed on a screen distant D metre from the slits. If , in
metre, denotes the wavelengths of light, the number of fringes per metre of the screen is:
(A) D/d (B) d/D
(C) d/D (D) D/d

4. In a Young’s double slit experiment, 12 fringes are observed to be formed in a certain segment of
the screen when light of wavelength 600 nm is used. If the wavelength of light is changed to 400
nm, number of fringes observed in the same segment of the screen is given by
(A) 12 (B) 18
(C) 24 (D) 30

5. In an interference arrangement, similar to Young’s double slit experiment, S1

the slits S1 and S2 are illuminated with coherent microwave sources, each of d/2

frequency 106 Hz. The sources are synchronized to have zero phase
difference. The slits are separated by distance d = 150.0 m. The intensity d/2
I() is measured as a function of , where  is defined as shown in the S2
figure. If I0 is the maximum intensity in the interference pattern. Then,
(A) I() = I0 for  = 45 (B) I() = I0 for  = 0
(C) I() = I0/4 for  = 90 (D) I() is constant for all values of .

6. A Young’s double slit experiment is conducted in water of refractive index 1

as shown in the figure and a glass plate of thickness t and refractive index S1
Water
2 is placed in the path of S2. Find the magnitude of path difference at O. Water
(wavelength should be considered for water) O
S2
   
(A)  2  1 t (B)  1  1 t
 1   2 
(C)  1  2  t (D)   2  1 t

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 24

7. The contrast of fringes is an interference pattern depends on:

(A) fringe width (B) wavelength
(C) intensity ratio of sources (D) distance between the slits.

8. In a YDSE, having equal slit width the path difference at a point A is   2  and intensity is IA and
at point B, the path difference is (  4 ) and intensity is IB . The ratio of intensity IA IB is
(A) 1/2 (B) 1/4
(C) zero (D) infinity

I1
9. Two coherent waves with their intensities ratio  a interfere in a medium. Then the ratio
I2
Imax  Imin
is:
Imax  Imin
2 a
(A) 2a (B)
1 a
2 4 a
(C) (D)
1 a 1 a

10. Two light waves of wavelength 1 and 2 are incident simultaneously on double slits in Young’s
double experiment. If third bright fringe of wavelength 1 meets fourth bright fringe of wavelength
2, then:
(A) 1 = 32 (B) 2 = 31
(C) 31 = 42 (D) 41 = 32

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

Source of Electromagnetic Wave

How are electromagnetic waves produced?
Neither stationary charges nor charges in uniform motion (steady currents) can be sources of
electromagnetic waves. The former produces only electrostatic fields, while the latter also produces
magnetic fields that however, do not vary with time. It is an important result of Maxwell’s theory that
accelerated charges radiate electromagnetic waves.

Consider a charge oscillating with some frequency. This produces an oscillating electric field in a space
which produces an oscillating magnetic field which in turn is a source of oscillating electric field and so on.
The oscillating electric and magnetic fields thus regenerate each other, so to speak, as the wave
propagates through the space. The frequency of electromagnetic wave naturally equals the frequency of
oscillation of the charge. The energy associated with the propagating wave comes at the expense of
energy of the source – the accelerated charge.

How electromagnetic wave propagate in a medium.

The propagation of electromagnetic wave is also due to inertial and elastic properties of the medium.
Every medium (including vacuum) has inductive property described by what we call the magnetic
permeability  of the medium. This property provides the magnetic inertia of the medium. The elasticity of
the medium is provided by the capacitive property called the electrical permittivity  of the medium.
Permeability  states the magnetic energy and permittivity  stores the electric field energy. This
electromagnetic energy propagates in the medium in the form of electromagnetic waves.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 25

MAXWELL’S EQUATION
Four basic laws of physics: Gauss law in electrostatics, Gauss law in magnetism, Faraday’s law of
electromagnetic induction and Ampere’s circuital law were stated by Maxwell in the form of four integral
and differential equations called Maxwell’s equations.
1
Gauss’ law: It states that total electric flux through any closed surface is equal to times the net
0
charge enclosed by the surface.
  q
 E  ds  
0

Gauss’s law in magnetism: It states that net magnetic flux through any closed surface is zero.
 
 [Link]  0

Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction

It states that changing magnetic flux induces an electric field.
  dE
 E  d    dt
Maxwell’s displacement current:
It was maxwell who recognised that a changing electric field is equivalent to an electric current. He
introduced the concept of what is called displacement current density which is defined as
D
ID = . . . (i)
t
Where D is the displacement vector.
The displacement current ID over any surface S is defined as an analogous to the definition of the
conventional current i.
ID =  ID .ds . . . (ii)
D
From (i) and (ii)
 
ID =  .ds   [Link]
t t

t f
ID = 0 [Link]

d
Id = 0 .
dt

Ampere’s law:

 B.d   0I 
where I is the electric current crossing a surface bounded by a closed curve and line integral of B is
calculated along that closed curve. This equation is valid only when the electric field at the surface does
not change with time.
As an example, consider a parallel plate capacitor with circular plates being charged by a battery. If we
place a compass needle in the space between the plates, the needle gets deflected. This shows that
there is a magnetic field in the region.
As there is no current between plates, hence in this case

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 26
 
 B.d   0I
Source of this magnetic field is the changing electric field. As the capacitor gets charged, the electric field
between the plates changes and this changing electric field produce magnetic field. So, Maxwell modified
Ampere’s law.

Maxwell Ampere’s circuital law

It states that the line integral of magnetic field along a closed path is equal to 0 times the total current.
  d
 B.d I = 0I = 0 (Ic + 0 dtE )
Ic = conduction current (due to flow of charge), and
d
ID = 0 E  displacement current (due to charging electric field)
dt

The displacement current arises due to varying electric field.

So, in 1865, Maxwell pointed out “There is a great symmetry in nature, i.e. change in either field (electric
or magnetic) with time produces the other field”. This idea led Maxwell to conclude that the variation in
electric and magnetic field vectors perpendicular to each other constitute an electromagnetic wave, which
propagates in space in a direction perpendicular to direction of both fields.

Illustration 1: A parallel plate capacitor has circular plates, each of radius 5.0 cm. It is being charged
so that electric field in the gap between its plates rises steadily at the rate of 1012 V/m.
What is the magnitude of displacement current?

dE dE
Solution: ID = 0  0 r 2 = 8.85  1012    (5  102)2  1012 = 0.07 A.
dt dt

Illustration 2: How would you establish an instantaneous displacement current of 1 A in the space
between the two parallel plates of a 2 F capacitor?

Solution: Here, ID = 1 Amp, and C = 2 F

dV ID 1
So  = = 5  105 volt / sec.
dt C 2  10 6
Thus, a displacement current of 1 Amp can be set up by changing the potential difference
across the parallel plates of the capacitor at the rate of 5  105 volt /sec.

TRANSVERSE NATURE OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE

An electromagnetic wave consists of sinusoidal time varying electric and magnetic fields acting at right
angle to each other as well as at right angle to the direction of propagation of the wave.

Two mutually perpendicular time varying electric and magnetic field may be represented by
E = Em sin (kx  t)
B = Bm sin(kx  t)
where E and B are the sinusoidally varying electric and magnetic fields at the position x at time t,  is
angular frequency, k is called wave number.
2
k=

If the wave propagates with speed c,

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 27


c=
k
Em and Bm are called amplitudes of E and B respectively.
So the two fields combine to constitute an electromagnetic wave, which propagates in space in a direction
perpendicular to the direction of both the fields.
The figure below shows the propagation of a plane electromagnetic wave with velocity c along x-axis.
The electric field vector is along y-axis, while magnetic field vector is along z-axis. Since the electric field,
magnetic field and propagation of wave are perpendicular to each other, therefore electromagnetic waves
are transverse in nature.
y E B E

B E B
z

Velocity of electromagnetic waves:

Consider a plane electromagnetic wave propagating along
positive direction of x-axis in space with speed c. y

Let us consider the rectangular path efgh in the xz plane as

shown in figure. E
  f   g  h  e 
 B.d   e B.d   f B.d   g B.d   h B.d 
= B0 [sin (t – x1/c) – sin (t – x2/c)] . . . (i) x=x1 x=x2
e dx h x
  x2
E =  [Link]   E(x)dx 
x1
x2 B 
x
= E 0  sin (t  )dx
c
x1 z
c  x x  f
b g
= E0   cos (t  2 )  cos (t  1 ) 
  c c 
dE x2 x
 cE0 [sin (t  )  sin (t  1 ) . . . (ii)
dt c c
The Ampere’s law for vacuum is
  dE
 B.d   0 0 dt . . . (iii)
From (i), (ii) and (iii)
B0 = 0 0 cE0
B E
00 = 0 But 0 = c
cE0 B0
1
 c=
  0
Putting the values of 0 and 0, we get
c = 2.99793  108 m/s, which is same as the speed of light.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 28

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

(i) The electromagnetic waves are produced by accelerating or oscillating charge.
(ii) Electromagnetic waves do not require any material medium for their propagation.
(iii) These waves travel in free space with a speed 3  108 m/s given by the
1
c=
 0 0
(iv) These waves are transverse in nature like light waves.
(v) The variation in the amplitudes of electric and magnetic fields in the electromagnetic waves always
take place at the same time and at same point in the space.
Thus, the ratio of the amplitudes of electric and magnetic fields is always constant and it is equal
to velocity of electromagnetic waves.
E0
c
B0
(vi) These waves obey superposition principle.
(vii) The energy in electromagnetic waves is divided equally between electric and magnetic field
vectors.
1
Average electric energy density = 0E2
4
1 2
Average magnetic energy density = B
40
1 B2
Average energy density of an electromagnetic wave is 0E2 or
2 20

Intensity: Energy crossing per unit area per unit time perpendicular to the direction of propagation is
called intensity of the wave.
U 1
I=  Uav c  0E20 c
At 2

Momentum: If a portion of an electromagnetic wave of energy U is propagating with speed c, then

linear momentum of the electromagnetic wave is given by
U
p=
c
If the incident electromagnetic wave is completely absorbed by a surface it delivers energy U and
U
momentum to the surface. If the electromagnetic wave is completely reflected, then the momentum
c
2U
delivered to the surface is . As the momentum of electromagnetic wave changes from p to – p, this
c
shows that the electromagnetic wave exerts a force on the surface on which it is incident.

Illustration 3: What is the wavelength of a television station which can transmit vision on
500 MHz ? Given c = 3  108 m/s.

Solution:  = 500 MHz = 500  106 Hz, c = 3  108 m/s

c
 =  0.6m


IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 29

Illustration 4: A light beam travelling in the x-direction is described by the electric field:
Ey = 270 sin (t – x/c). An electron is constrained to move along the y-direction with
7
speed of 2  10 m/s. Find maximum electric force and maximum magnetic force on the
electron.

Solution: E = E0 sin (t – x/c)

E0 = 270 V/m
E
B0 = 0  9  10 7 T
c
Fe = qE0 = 1.6  1019  270 = 4.32  1017 N
Fmag = qvB0 = 2.88  1018 N.

Illustration 5: A magnetic field in a plane electromagnetic wave is given by By = 3  107 sin (0.314 
3 11
10 x + 3.14  10 t) Tesla. Write down an expression for the electric field.

Solution: E0 = cB0 = (3  108 )  (3  107) = 90 V /m.

2
 Ez = E0 sin (x + vt)

 Ez = 90 sin (0.314  103 x + 3.14  1011 t) V /m

Illustration 6: The photon energy, in eV, for electromagnetic waves of wavelength 40 m is

(A) 3.1  108 (B) 4.8  1027
(C) 6.2  108 (D) 9.6  1027

Solution: A
6.63  1034  3  108
E = hc/ = = 3.1   108 eV
40  e
Hence (A) is correct option.

HERTZ EXPERIMENT
Hertz experiment was based on the fact that an oscillating electric charge radiates electromagnetic waves
and these waves carry energy which is being supplied at the cost of kinetic energy of the oscillating
charge. The detailed study revealed that the electromagnetic radiation is significant only if the distance to
which the charge oscillates is comparable to the wavelength of radiation.

Hertz Apparatus A
The experimental setup used by Hertz for the production and Metal plate
detection of electromagnetic wave: A and B are two large
square metal plates of copper and zinc placed about 60 cm
apart. They are connected to two highly polished metallic
spheres S1 and S2 through thick copper wires. A high C
potential difference of several thousand volts is applied S1
To induction coil D Detector
across the square using induction coil. Due to high potential S2 or
difference across S1 and S2, the air between the spheres gets Receiver
ionized and provides a path for discharge of plates. Due to it
a spark is produced between S1 and S2 and electromagnetic
waves of high frequency are radiated. Here, the two plates
act as a capacitor having small capacitance C and connecting B Metal plate
wires provide a low inductance L. The high frequency of
oscillations of charges between the plate is given by

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 30

I
=
2 LC
The frequency of oscillations is of the order of 5  107 Hz. With this arrangement Hertz could obtaine
radiation of wavelength about 6 m.

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
After the experimental discovery of electromagnetic waves by Hertz, many other electromagnetic waves
were discovered by different ways of excitation.
The orderly distribution of electromagnetic waves (according to wavelength or frequency) in the form of
distinct groups having widely different properties is called electromagnetic spectrum.

Main parts of electromagnetic spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum may be divided into following main parts.

Radiowaves
Radiowaves are produced by oscillating electric circuits having an inductor and capacitor. The range of
frequency of radiowaves is from 5  105 Hz to 109 Hz.
Uses: Radiowaves are used for wireless communication purposes. They are used to transmit radio and
TV signals.

Microwaves
The frequency of microwaves varies from 1 GHz to 300 GHz. They are produced by oscillating electronic
circuits.

Uses: Microwaves are used in RADAR system, long distance telephone communication and for cooking
purpose.

Infrared Waves
The frequency of these waves varies from 3  1014 Hz to 4  1011 Hz. Infrared waves are sometimes
called as heat waves. Infrared waves are produced by hot bodies and molecules.

Uses: (i) Infrared rays are used in solar water heaters and cookers.
(ii) Infrared ray photographs are used for weather forecasting.
(iii) Infrared rays are used for taking photographs during the condition of fog.

Visible Light
The frequency of these waves varies from 4  1014 Hz to 8  1014 Hz. It is produced due to atomic
excitation.

Ultraviolet Rays
The frequency of these waves varies from 8  1014 Hz to 5  1017 Hz. The ultraviolet rays are produced
by sun, special lamps and hot bodies. The ultraviolet rays in large quantity produce harmful effects on
human being.
Uses:
(i) Ultraviolet rays are used for checking the mineral samples by making use of its property of
causing fluorescence.
(ii) It is used in the study of molecular structure.
(iii) It can cause photoelectric effect.
(iv) Ultraviolet rays destroy bacteria and hence they are used for sterilizing surgical instruments.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 31

X-RAYS
The frequency: of these waves varies from 1016 Hz to 3  1021 Hz. X-ray can be produced when high
energy electrons are stopped suddenly on a metal of high atomic number. X-rays have high penetrating
power.
Uses:
(i) In surgery: For the detection of fractures, foreign bodies like bullets and stones in the human
body.
(ii) In engineering: for detecting faults, cracks and holes in final metal product.
(iii) In scientific research: for the investigation of structure of crystals arrangement of atoms and
molecules in the complex substances.

-RAYS
The frequency of these waves varies from 3  1018 Hz to 5  1022 Hz. These can be produced by nucleus
of radioactive substances.
Uses: (i) It can be used to treat cancer and tumours.
(ii) It can be used to produce nuclear reactions.
(iii) It can be used to preserve the food stuffs for a long time.
Wavelength
Frequency Hz.
22
10
10
21 Gamma rays
20
10
19
10 1A
0

18 X-rays
10 1nm
17
10
16
Ultraviolet
10 1m
15
10
14
10
13
10 Infrared Visible light
10
12 1cm

10
11 Microwave

10
10 1m
TV. FM
9
10 Radio-waves
8
10 Standard broadcast
7
10
6
10 1 km
5
10
4 Long wave
10
3
10

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 32

PROPAGATION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES IN ATMOSPHERE

The atmosphere is a gaseous envelope surrounding our earth. It is retained to the earth due to
gravitational attraction. As we go up, the air thins out gradually and air pressure decreases. The
atmosphere can be divided into various layers as shown in figure below. The layers are known by
different names and with tops denoted by pauses.

The troposphere includes the layer close to the earth and extends upto about 12 km. This layer is
responsible for all the important weather phenomena affecting our environment. The next layer, called
the stratosphere, extends from about 10  16 km to about 50 km. The mesosphere extends from about
50 km to about 80 km. The thermosphere extends from 80 km to the edge of the atmosphere. It receives
energy directly from the solar radiation. The ozone layer is in the lower stratosphere and extends from 15
km to about 30 km. This ozone results from the dissociation of molecular oxygen by solar ultraviolet
radiation in the upper atmosphere, called ionosphere, which is composed partly of electrons and positive
ions. The rest of the atmosphere is composed mostly of neutral molecules.

The sun is main source of electromagnetic waves of different wavelengths towards the earth. As the
electromagnetic waves propagate through earth’s atmosphere, most of infrared radiation is absorbed by
atmosphere and it gets heated. A small part of visible light is also absorbed in atmosphere.

Altitude (km) Pressure (mbar)

110 0.0001
100 0. 001 Thermosphere
90

Mesopause
Zone of ionised
molecules 80 0.016
ionosphere Mesosphere
(variable height) 70

60 0.25
Stratopause
50 1.0
40 4.0 Stratosphere

30 16

20 64 Tropopause
Troposphere
10 254
507
Sea Level 0 1013
(The earth’s atmosphere)

Ultraviolet radiation is harmful to planets and living cells, so ozone layer absorbs most of ultraviolet
radiation. Also ozone layer converts the ultraviolet radiation to infrared which further heats up the
atmosphere and the earth’s surface.

The propagation of radio waves depends on the wavelength of the waves. Medium frequency (MF)
waves (300 kHz to 3 MHz) are largely absorbed and the high frequency (HF) waves
(3 MHz to 30 MHz) are reflected back by the ionosphere. In the range 30 MHz to 3 GHz, waves are
transmitted from one place to another either by direct line of sight using tall towers, or by beaming to
artificial satellites and rebroadcasting from there.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 33

SOLVED PROBLEMS
SUBJECTIVE

Problem 1: What is the wavelength of electromagnetic wave having frequency 1000 MHZ.
6 8
Solution: v = 1000  10 Hz. c = 3  10 m/s
c
 =  0.3m
v

Problem 2: The voltage between the plates of a parallel plate capacitor of capacitance
1.0 F is changing at rate of 1.0 V/s. Find displacement current.

dV
Solution: Given C = 1.0 F = 106 F,  1.0 V/s
dt
dE
ID = 0 = 0 d  VA 
dt dt  d 
0 A dV dV
= C  1  106 = 10 A
d dt dt
Problem 3: In a plane electromagnetic wave, the electric field oscillates sinusoidaly at a frequency of
2  1010 Hz and amplitude 48 V/m. Find wavelength of the wave.

c 3  108
Solution: =  10
= 1.5  102 m.
v 2  10

Problem 4: In the above question what is the amplitude of the oscillating magnetic field.

E0 48
Solution: B0 =  8
= 1.6  107 T.
C 3  10

Problem 5: A plane electromagnetic wave in the visible region is moving along the
direction. The frequency of the wave is 1015 Hz and the electric field at any point is
varying sinusoidally with him with an amplitude 0.5 V/m. Find average values of the
densities of the electric and magnetic fields.
1 1 1
Solution: <uE> = 0E2 =  8.85  10 12   0.55  1012 J / m3
4 4 4
B20 E02
<uB> =  = 0.55  1012 J/m3
4 40 c 2
8
Problem 6: Electromagnetic waves travel in a medium at a speed of 2  10 m/s. The relative
permeability of medium is 1. Find relative permittivity.
1 1 c
Solution: c = = =
  r 0 r r r
2 2
c 3
r = 2
    2.25 .
c  r  2 

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
34

Problem 7: The electric field in an electromagnetic wave is given by

2
E = 50 sin (ct  x)N / C

Find the energy contained in a cylinder of cross-section 10 cm2 and length 50 cm along
the x-axis.

Solution: Average energy density of the electromagnetic wave is

1 1
< Uav > = 0E02   8.55  10 12  (50)2  1.1 10 8 Jm3
2 2
Volume = 10 (cm)2  50 cm = 5  104 m3
U = volume  energy density
= 5  104  1.1  108 = 5.5  104 J.

Problem 8: The permittivity and permeability of free space are 0 = 8.85  1012 c2N1m2 and
0 = 4  107 TmA1 respectively. Find velocity of electromagnetic wave.

1
Solution: c=
 0 0
= 3  108 m/s

Problem 9: Suppose that the electric field amplitude of an electromagnetic wave is

 and its frequency is v = 50 MHZ. Find B0, , k and  (b) Find expression
E0 = 120 N/c
for E and B .

E0 120
Solution: B0 =  8
 4  107 T
c 3  10
 = 2v = 3.14  108 rad/s
c 3  108
 =  = 6m
v 5  107
2
k =  1.05 rad/m

E = E0 sin (kx  t)
= 120 sin (1.05 x – 3.14  108t)
B = B0 sin (kx  t)
= 4  107sin (1.05x – 3.14 t)

Problem 10: How would you established an instantaneous displacement current of 4A in the space
between the two parallel plates of 2F capacitor.

Solution: ID = 4A, C = 2F = 2  106 F

dE d v
ID = 0A  0 A  
dt dt  d 
 A dv
= 0
d dt
dv ID 4
  6
 2  106 v/s
dt C 2  10
So, by varying the voltage between plate at rate of 2  106 v/s, displacement current of
4A can be established.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 35

OBJECTIVE

Problem 1: The ratio of velocities of light waves of wavelengths 3000 Å and 2000 Å in vacuum is
(A) 1 : 1 (B) 2 : 3
(C) 3/2 (D) none of these
Solution: A
Velocities of light is same for all wavelengths in vacuum.

Problem 2: The charging current for a capacitor is 0.2 A. Find displacement current.
(A) 0.2 A (B) 0.4 A
(C) 0.1 A (D) zero
Solution: A
Displacement current = charging current
12
Problem 3: Find the wavelength of electromagnetic waves of frequency 3  10 Hz in free space
(A) 104 m (B) 104 m
2
(C) 10 m (D) 102 m

Solution: A
3  108
 = c/ =  104 m
3  1012

Problem 4: A plane electromagnetic wave is incident on a material surface. The wave delivers
momentum P and energy E. Then
(A) P  0, E  0 (B) P = 0, E = 0
(C) P  0, E = 0 (D) P = 0, E  0
Solution: A

Problem 5: Given wave function for a wave to be (x,t)  103 sin (3  106 x – 9  1014t ). The speed
of the wave is
(A) 3  108 m/s (B) 2  108 m/s
8
(C) 10 m (D) 6  108 m/s
Solution: A
9  1014
c = /k = 6
= 3  108 m/s
3  10

Problem 6: In an apparatus, the electric field was found to oscillate with an amplitude of
18 V/m. The magnitude of the oscillating magnetic field will be
(A) 4  106 T (B) 6  108 T
9
(C) 9  10 T (D) 11  1011 T
Solution: B
E0 18
B0 = =  6  108 T
c 3  108

Problem 7: The velocity of light is maximum in

(A) diamond (B) water
(C) glass (D) vacuum

Solution: D

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 36

Problem 8: The frequency of x- rays,  - rays and ultraviolet rays are respectively a, b and c. Then
(A) a < b, b > c (B) a > b, b > c
(C) a > b, b < c (D) a < b, b < c
Solution: A

Problem 9: The velocity of electromagnetic wave is parallel to

   
(A) B  E (B) E  B
 
(C) E (D) B

Solution: B
 
Electromagnetic wave is perpendicular to both E and B .

Problem 10: Which of the following are not electromagnetic waves ?

(A) -rays (B)  -rays
(C) -rays (D) infrared rays
Solution: A

EXERCISE -2
1. Which part of electromagnetic spectrum is used in operating a RADAR ?

2. Name the electromagnetic radiations used for viewing the objects through haze and fog.

3. From which layer of atmosphere radio and microwaves are reflected back ?

4. Which are relevant waves in telecommunication ?

5. What oscillates in electromagnetic waves ?

6. What is the name given to the part of electromagnetic spectrum which is used for taking
photographs of earth under foggy conditions from great heights ?

7. State two applications of ultraviolet radiation.

8. In a plane electromagnetic wave, magnetic field oscillates with amplitude 1.6  1011 T. Find the
maximum value of electric field.

9. Electromagnetic waves travel in a medium at speed of 2  108 m/s. If relative permittivity is 2.25,
find relative permeability of the medium.

10. Electromagnetic waves are produced by

(A) a static charge (B) a moving charge
(C) an accelerating charge (D) charge less particles.

11. The amplitudes of electric and magnetic fields are related to each other as
(A) E0 = B0 (B) E0 = cB0
B0 c
(C) E0 = (D) E0 =
c B0
12. Ozone layer blocks the radiation of wavelength
(A) less than 3  107 m (B) equal to 3  107 m
7
(C) more than 3  10 m (D) none of these

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 37

ANSWER TO EXERCISES
Exercise -1
1. (i) plane (ii) spherical 2. (i) does not change (ii) changes by 
3. C 4. B
5. B 6. A
7. C 8. C
9. B 10. C
Exercise -2
1. Microwaves 2. Infrared radiations
3. Ionosphere 4. Microwaves
 
5. The electric field vector E and magnetic field vector B .
6. Infrared rays
7. (i) To preserve the food stuff (ii) For sterilizing the surgical instruments
8. 4.8  103 V/m 9. 1
10. B 11. B
12. A

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 38

CONCEPTS AND FORMULAE AT A GLANCE

1. Wave Optics
If two coherent waves with intensities I1 and I2 are superimposed with a phase difference of , the
resulting wave intensity is
I = I1 + I2 + 2 I1I2 cos 
For maxima, x = n ( = optical path difference)
1 1
For minima, x = (n  ) or (n + )
2 2
2
Phase difference,  = (x)


2. Determination of Phase Difference

The phase difference between two waves at a point will depend upon
(a) the difference in path lengths of the two waves from their respective sources.
(b) the refractive index of the medium.
(c) initial phase difference, if any.
(d) reflections, if any, in the path followed by waves.
(i) In the case of light waves, the phase difference on account of path difference
optical path difference
= 2, where  is the wavelength in free space.

(ii) In the case of reflection, the reflected disturbance differs in phase by  with the incident wave
if the incidence occurs in rarer medium. There would be no phase difference if incidence
occurs in denser medium.
Note: A distance x in vacuum is equal to a distance x/ in a medium of refractive index ,
called the optical path

3. Young's Double Slit Experiment P

(i) If d << D, then
S1
x  S2P  S1P  dsin  y
If  < d, then sin     tan   
d
dy O
x =
D d sin 
S2
dy
(ii) For maxima, = n D
D
D 2D
or, y = 0,  , ,
d d
dy D 3D
(iii) For minima, = [n + (1/2)] or y=  , , so on
D 2d 2d
D
(iv) Fringe width, W =
d
W
(v) Displacement of fringe pattern, y = (  1)t


IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 39

4. Displacement of Fringe Pattern

, t P
When a film of thickness 't' and refractive index '' is introduced in the
path of one of the source's light, then fringe shift occurs as the optical
S1
path difference changes.
Optical path difference at P
x = S2P  [S1P + t  t]
S2
= S2P  S1P  (  1)t = y.(d/D)  (  1)t
D(  1)t
The fringe shift is given by, y 
d

5. Intensity Variation on Screen

If I0 is the intensity of light beam coming from each slit, then the resultant intensity at a point
where they have a phase difference of  is given by
 2(dsin )
I  4I0 cos2 , where  
2 

6. Displacement current:
dE dE
ID =  0  0 A
dt dt
d  V  0 A dV
= 0A   
dt  d  d dt
dV V  A
or ID = C ( E  andC  0 )
dt d d

7. Maxwell’s displacement current:

 
 B.d   0 (I  ID )
8. Energy density of electromagnetic waves
Energy of a photon, E = h = hc/
E0 = B0c,
Where E0 = amplitude (or maximum value ) of electric field and
B0 = amplitude (or maximum value) of amplitude
2
1 1 E  1
Average energy density of electric field, uE = 0E 2  0  0   0E02
2 2  2 4
1 2 B2
and average energy density of magnetic field uB = B  0
20 40
B20
Total average energy density = uE + uB =
20
9. Wein’s displacement law
mT = constant = b
where m = wavelength (in meter) of radiation emitted from a body corresponding to maximum
intensity, T = temperature of the body in Kelvin, and b = Wein’s constant = 2.889  103 mK

10. If two coherent waves with intensity I1 and I2 are superimposed with a phase difference of , the
resulting wave intensity is
I = I1 + I2 + 2 I1I2 cos

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
40

11. When sources are in phase:

For maxima o.p.d. = n (o.p.d. = Optical Path Difference)
1
For minima o.p.d. = (n - )
2
2
Phase difference  = (o.p.d.)

12. The phase difference between two waves at a point will depend upon
(a) the difference in path lengths of the two waves from their respective sources.
(b) the refractive index of the medium
(c) initial phase difference, if any.
(d) Reflections, if any, in the path followed by waves.
In the case of light waves, the phase difference on account of path difference
Optical path difference
= 2 where  is the wavelength in free space.

[Geometrical path difference]
= 2


13. In the case of reflection, the reflected disturbance differs in phase by  with the incident one if the
incidence occurs in rarer medium. There would be no phase difference if incidence occurs in
denser medium.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 41

CHAPTER PRACTICE PROBLEMS

Subjective Questions

1. A source emitting light of wavelength 480 nm and 600 nm is used in double slit interference
experiment. The separation between the slits is 0.25 mm and the interference is observed on a
screen placed at 150 cm from the slits. Find the linear separation between the first maximum
(next to the central maximum) corresponding to the two wavelengths.

2. In young’s double slit experiment fringe width is found to be 0.4 mm. If the whole apparatus is
immersed in water of refractive index 4/3 without disturbing the geometrical arrangement, find the
new fringe width.

3. In a Young’s double slit experiment using monochromatic light, the fringe pattern shifts by a
certain distance on the screen when a mica sheet of refractive index 1.6 and thickness 1.964
micron (1 micron = 106 m) is introduced in the path of one of the interfering waves. The mica
sheet is then removed and the distance between the screen and the slits is doubled. It is found
that the distance between the successive maxima now is the same as the observed fringe-shift
upon the introduction of the mica sheet. Calculate the wavelength of the monochromatic light
used in the experiment.

4. A plate of thickness t made of a material of refractive index  is placed in front of one of the slits
in a double slit experiment.
(a) Find the change in the optical path due to introduction of the plate.
(b) What should be the minimum thickness t which will make the intensity at the centre of the
fringe pattern zero? Wavelength of the light used is . Neglect any absorption of light in the plate.

5. In Young’s experiment wavelength of red light is 7.8  10-8 cm and that of blue light is
5.2  10-8 cm. Find the value of n for which (n + 1)th blue bright line coincides with nth red fringe.

MCQ - Single Correct

6. Two identical glass plates are kept close and parallel to each other. Each glass plate reflects 20
percent of light incident on it and rest is transmitted. The ratio of the minimum and maximum
intensities in the interference pattern formed by the two beams obtained after one reflection at
each plate is
1 1
(A) (B)
25 49
1 1
(C) (D)
64 81

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 42

7. Two identical sources each of intensity I0 have a separation

 P
d  , where  is the wavelength of the waves emitted by
8
S1

either source. The phase difference of the sources is . The
4 
d P0
intensity distribution I() in the radiation field as a function of
, which specifies the direction from the sources to the
distant observation point P is given by S2

I0   
(A) I()  4I0 cos2  (B) I()  cos2  
4  8 
   
(C) I()  4I0 cos2  (sin   1) (D) I()  I0 sin2  (sin   1)
8  8 

8. Three sinusoidal waves having same frequency have amplitudes in the ratio 6 : 3 : 2 and their

phases are 0, ,  . If 6a be the amplitude of the first wave, then which of the following is not
2
correct
(A) the amplitude of the resultant wave of the three waves is 5 a
3
(B) phase of resultant wave is tan1
4
5a
(C) the amplitude of resultant wave is
6
(D) the frequency of the resultant wave will be that of given wave

9. A certain oscillation results from the addition of coherent oscillations of the same direction y = a
cos[t + (k  1)], where k is the number of oscillation [k = 1, 2, . . . N] and  is the phase
difference between kth and (k  1)th oscillations. The amplitude of resultant oscillation will be
a sin  N 2  
(A) (B) a sin
sin   2  2
n
(C) a sin (D) 
2

10. In a Fresnel biprism set-up,l is the distance of the prism from the source slit, A is the angle of the
prism and  is the refractive index of the material of the prism. Then the separation between the
two virtual sources will be equal to
(A) lA ( - 1)/2 (B) 2lA ( - 1)
(C) lA ( - 1) (D) 4lA( - 1)

11. A parallel beam of light of wavelength  passes through a slit of width d. The transmitted light is
collected on a screen D away (D >> d). Find the distance between the two second order minima.
D D
(A) (B)
d 2d
2D 4D
(C) (D)
d d

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 43

12. A coherent parallel beam of light of wavelength 5000 Å

S = 1.5
is incident normally on the plane of slits. The slit S1 is t = 4  105m
S1
covered with a slab of refractive index  s  1.5 and
thickness t  4  10 5 m as shown. The separation d
O
between the slits is d = 1 mm and the separation
between the plane of slits and screen is D = 1m. Then S2
the position of the central maxima formed on the D=1m
screen is
(A) 1 cm above point ‘O’. screen
(B) 2 cm above point ‘O’.
(C) 1 cm below point ‘O’.
(D) 2 cm below point ‘O’.

13. An unpolarised light of intensity ‘I0’ is passed through the two Polaroid’s placed parallel to each
other and their transmission axes are inclined at an angle 45. the intensity of the polarised light
after passing through the Polaroid’s will be
I I
(A) 0 (B) 0
8 4
I0 I
(C) (D) 0
2 2

14. A parallel beam of light of wavelength 5000

Å is incident on slit S. Another two slits S1 S1
and S2 are illuminated at a distance 2
meter as shown in the figure. The minimum
distance between S1 and S2 such that
maximum intensity will occur at O is
S S2 O
(A) 10 mm
(B) 1 mm
1
(C) mm
2 2m 2m
(D) 5 mm
screen


15. In a Young’s double slit experiment the intensity at a point where the path difference is
6
I
( being the wavelength of the light used) is I. If I0 denotes the maximum intensity, is equal to
I0
1 3
(A) (B)
2 2
(C) 1/2 (D) 3/4

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 44

ASSIGNMENTS
SECTION-I
1. The charging current for a capacitor is 0.05 A. What is the displacement current ?

2. What is the role of ozone layer in atmosphere.

3. A charge particle oscillates about its mean equilibrium position with a frequency of 109 Hz. What
is the frequency of the electromagnetic waves produced by the oscilltator.

4. Why are microwaves used in RADAR.

5. At what angle should the axes of two polaroids be placed so as to reduce the intensity of incident
unpolarised light to 1/3.

6. A parallel beam of monochromatic light of wavelength 450 nm passes through a long slit of width
0.2 mm. Find the angular divergence in which most of the light is diffracted.

7. For a given medium, the polarising angle is 600. What will be the critical angle for this medium?

8. Determine the angular separation between central maximum and fist order maximum of the
diffraction pattern due to a single slit of width 0.25 mm, when light of wavelength 5890 Å is
incident on it normally.

9. In Young’s double slit experiment, the slits are separated by 0.24 mm. The screen is 1.2 m away
from the slits. The fringe width is 0.3 cm. Calculate the wavelength of light used in the
experiment.

10. In Young’s double slit experiment, while using a source of light of wavelength 5000 Å, the fringe
width obtained is 0.6 cm. If the distance between the slits and the screen is reduced to half,
calculate the new fringe width.

11. The refractive index of the denser media is 1.732. Calculate:

(i) the polarising angle of medium.
(ii) the angle of refraction.

12. Laser light of wavelength 630 nm incident on a pair of slits produces an interference pattern in
which the bright fringes are separated by 8.1 mm. A second light produces an interference
pattern in which the fringes are separated by 7.2 mm. Calculate the wavelength of the second
light.

13. Find the ratio of intensities of two points P and Q on a screen in Young’s double slit experiment

when waves from sources S1 and S2 have phase difference of (i) 0 and (ii) respectively.
2

14 A monochromatic light of  = 5000 A0 is incident on two slits separated by a distance of

5  104 m. the interference pattern is seen on a screen placed at a distance of 1 m from the slits.
A thin glass plate of thickness 1.5  106 m and refractive index  = 1.5 is placed between one of
the slit and the screen. Find the intensity at the centre of the screen if the intensity there is I0 in
the absence of the plate. Also find the lateral shift of the central maximum.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 45

15. In YDSE experiment shown in the figure, a parallel beam of light of 1 = 4/3
2 = 10/9
wavelength ( = 0.3 mm) in medium 1 is incident at an angle S1

 = 30 as shown. (S1O = S2O). If the intensity due to each light  1 mm

O
wave at point O is I0 then, find the resultant intensity at point O.
S2
D=1m

SECTION-II
OBJECTIVE
(MULTI CHOICE SINGLE CORRECT)
1. Two coherent monochromatic light beams of intensities 4I and 9I are superposed. The maximum
and minimum intensities in the resulting beam are
(A) 5I and I (B) I and 25I
(C) 25I and I (D) 9I and 3I

2. In Young's double slit experiment, the fringe width is . If the entire arrangement is now placed
inside a liquid of refractive index , the fringe width will become
(A)  (B) /
 
(C) (D)
 1  1

3. In a Young's double slit experiment, let S1 and S2 be the two slits, and C be the centre of the
screen. If S1CS2= and  is the wavelength, the fringe width will be

(A) (B)  

(C) 2/ (D) /2

4. The path difference between two interfering identical waves at a point on a screen is 14.5 times
the wavelength. The point is
(A) neither dark not bright (B) bright
(C) dark (D) data is inadequate

5. In the Young’s double slit experiment, films of thicknesses tA and tB and refractive indices A and B
are placed in front of A and B respectively. If AtA = BtB, the central maximum will
(A) not shift (B) shift towards A
(C) shift towards B (D) option (B), if tB>tA and option(C) if tB<tA

6. Consider interference between two sources of intensities I and 4I. Find the intensity at a point
where the phase difference is /2.
(A) 5 I (B) 7 I
(C) 6 I (D) 8 I
7. In Young’s double slit experiment, while using a source of light of wavelength 5000 Å, the fringe
width obtained is 0.6 cm. If the distance between the slits and the screen is reduced to half, find
the new fringe width.
(A) 1.2 cm (B) 14.3 cm
(C) 0.3 cm (D) 14.9 cm

8. A transparent mica sheet of refractive index 1.5 and uniform thickness 2 is placed in front of
both the slits in a Young’s double slit experiment,  is the wavelength of the monochromatic light
used in the experiment. The fringe pattern on the screen will
(A) shift upwards by one fringe width. (B) shift upwards by two fringe width.
(C) shift downwards by one fringe width. (D) remain unaffected.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 46

9. A ray of light of intensity I is incident on a parallel glass slab at point A as B B

shown in the figure. It undergoes partial reflection and refraction. At each I
A A
reflection 25% of incident energy is reflected. The ray AB and AB undergo
interference. The ratio Imax/Imin is
(A) 4 : 1 (B) 8 : 1 C
(C) 7 : 1 (D) 49 : 1

10. In Young’s double-slit experiment, the separation between the slits is halved and the distance
between the slits and screen is doubled. The fringe-width will
(A) remain unchanged (B) be halved
(C) be doubled (D) be four times

11. A free electron is placed in the path of a plane electromagnetic wave. The electron will start
moving
(A) along the electric field
(B) along the magnetic field
(C) along the direction of propagation of the wave
(D) in a plane containing the magnetic filed and the direction of propagation.

12. An electromagnetic wave going through vacuum is described by E = E0 sin (kx  t)
which of the following are independent of wavelength.
k
(A) k (B)

(C) k (D) 

MULTI CHOICE MULTI CORRECT

1. The figure shows a schematic diagram for Young’s double slit

S1
experiment. Given d << , d << D, /D << 1. Which of the following
is/are a right statement about the wavelength of light used? S0
d O
(A) Larger the wavelength, larger will be the fringe width.
S2
(B) If white light is used, violet colour forms its first maxima closest D

to the central maxima.
(C) The central maxima of all wavelength coincide.
(D) Smaller the wavelength, smaller will be the fringe width.

2. In a Young’s double-slit experiment, let A and B be the two slits. A thin film of thickness t and
refractive index  is placed in front of A. Let  = fringe width. The central maximum will shift
(A) towards A (B) towards B
 
(C) by t(  1) (D) by t
 

3. If white light is used in a Young’s double-slit experiment,

(A) bright white fringe is formed at the centre of the screen
(B) coloured fringes will be observed
(C) the first-order violet fringes are closer to the centre of the screen than the first-order red
fringes
(D) the first-order red fringes are closer to the centre of the screen than the first-order violet
fringes

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 47

NUMERICAL BASED TYPE

1. Two identical glass plates are kept close and parallel to each other. Each glass plate reflects 20
percent of light incident on it and rest is transmitted. The ratio of the minimum and maximum
intensities in the interference pattern formed by the two beams obtained after one reflection at
1
each plate is . Find the value of K.
9K

2. In the arrangement shown wavelength of light used is . The Screen

distance between slits S1 and S2 is d(<<D). The distance

D S1 S3
u
between S3 and S4 is u = . If the ratio of maximum to P
3d d
S4
minimum intensity observed on screen is k. Find k. S2

D D

NUMERICAL BASED WITH NON-NEGATIVE INTEGER TYPE

1. The voltage between the plates of a parallel-plate capacitor of capacitance 2 F is changing at

the rate of 10 V/s. If the displacement current is (5  K) A. Then find the value of K.

2. The height of transmitting antenna is (320  K) meter, if the TV telecast is to cover a radius of
128 km. Find the value of K.

NUMERICAL BASED DECIMAL TYPE

1. A light source emits light of two wavelengths 1 = 4300 Å and 2 = 5100 Å. The source is used in
a double slit interference experiment. The distance between the slit is 0.025 mm and between
source and screen is 1.5 m. Calculate the separation (in cm) between the third order bright
fringes due to these two wavelengths.

2. A beam of light consisting of two wavelength 6500 Å and 5200 Å is used to obtain interference
fringes in a Young’s double slit experiment. Find the least distance (in mm) from the central
maximum where the bright fringes due to both the wavelengths coincide. The distance between
the slit is 2 mm and the distance between the plane of the slits and the screen is 120 cm.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 48

NUMERICAL BASED (QUESTION STEM) DECIMAL TYPE

A monochromatic light of wave length  = 6000 Å is used and

incident on two slits S1 and S2 as shown. The width of slits S1 and
S2 are different in such a way the intensity on the screen due to S1
the slit S2 is 9 times the intensity due to the slit S1 on the screen.
The distance between the two slits S1S2 is d = 1mm and the d
distance between the slits and the screen is D = 2m. A mica sheet
 4 S2
of refractive index     and thickness t = 0.1 m is kept in front
 3
of slit S1. Assuming both the slits behave like coherent sources. D
The minimum distance between the two points on the screen
th Screen
 1
which have intensities equal to the   of the maximum intensity
4
on the screen is ‘a’ mm. The minimum distance between the two
 13 
points on the screen which have intensities equal to   times
 16 
the maximum intensity on the screen is ‘b’ mm.

1. The value of ‘a’ is …………

2. The value of ‘b’ is ………

LINKED COMPREHENSION TYPE

(I)
A monochromatic source of light of S L
wavelength 5000 A is placed in situation as 1 mm
shown in figure. Considering interference of D C
direct and reflected rays by a plane mirror O
DC.
5 cm 5 cm 190 cm M
Screen

1. Find the length (along OL) of the region where the fringes will be visible.
(A) 1 cm (B) 2 cm
(C) 3 cm (D) None of these

2. Find the fringe width

(A) 0.15 cm (B) 0.1 cm
(C) 0.05 cm (D) none of these

3. Calculate the number of fringes.

(A) 40 (B) 30
(C) 20 (D) none of these

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 49

(II)
In a Young’s double slit experiment, a plane
monochromatic wave of wavelength 6000A0, is t
incident normally on the slit plane as shown in the
figure. A perfectly transparent film of thickness t, S1
and refractive index 1.5 is placed in front of the slit A
S1. The intensity of light on the screen near O is I0 10 mm 0.48 mm
due to each slit.
O

S2

2m

1. Intensity at A if t = 0.6 m.

(A) 4I0 (B) 3I0
(C) 2I0 (D) zero

2. The minimum value of t (t > 0) for intensity to be the maximum at O.

(A) 1.2 m (B) 12 m
(C) 6 m (D) 0.6 m

3. If film with thickness calculated in above question is removed from S1 and placed at S2, distance
moved by the interference pattern
(A) 240 m (B) 24 m
(C) 120 m (D) 12 m

(III)
Two coherent sources are emitting light of wavelength  = 5000Å. The Screen

separation between the sources is 2.5mm and the separation between the
source and the screen is 2m. Then which of the following are correct.
d 90
C
S1 S2 D

1. The position of 3000th order bright fringe from C is

8 6
(A) m (B) m
3 3
4 5
(C) m (D) m
3 3
th
2. The position of 2500 order bright fringe from C is
(A) 3 m (B) 2 3 m
(C) 3 3 m (D) 4 3 m

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 50

MATCH LIST TYPE

Answer questions 1 and 2 by appropriately matching the list based on the information given in the
paragraph.
A monochromatic beam of light falls on Young’s double slit experiment. The Screen
number of maxima and minima are observed on the screen for different
wavelengths. The separation between the slits is ‘d’. List-I gives the S1
wavelength and List-II gives some numbers. P
d
S2

List – I List – II

d
(I) (P) 3
2

d
(II) (Q) 1
4

d
(III) (R) 4
6

d
(IV) (S) 2
8

(T) 6

(U) 8

 n  1
1. If the light falls normally on the slits then the correct match for   in the List-II, where ‘n’ is
 2 
the number of maxima observed on the screen for the given wavelength. (exclude the maxima
formed at infinity)
Options
(A) I  Q, II  R, III  P, IV  T
(B) I  S, II  U, III  R, IV  P
(C) I  S, II  R, III  T, IV  U
(D) I  Q, II  T, III  R, IV  P

m
2. If the light falls on the slits at an angle of 30 with the horizontal, then correct match for   in
4
the List-II, where m is the number of minima observed on the screen for the given wavelength.
Options
(A) I  Q, II  S, III  P, IV  R
(B) I  S, II  U, III  R, IV  T
(C) I  S, II  Q, III  R, IV  P
(D) I  Q, II  S, III  R, IV  T

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 51

3. In the YDSE apparatus shown in figure x is the path difference

between S2P and S1P. Now a glass slab is introduced in front of P
S2. Match List - I with List - II and select the correct answer S1
using the codes given below the lists:
O
S2

List – I List – II
(P)  x at P will (1) increase
(Q) Fringe width will (2) decrease
(R) Fringe pattern will (3) remain same
(S) Number of fringes between O and P will (4) shift downward
Codes:
P Q R S
(A) 2 3 1 4
(B) 3 2 1 2
(C) 4 1 2 3
(D) 1 3 4 3

4. A parallel beam of monochromatic light of

wavelength  = 100(Å) is incident on the slits  = 20 – 4t
separated by distance d = 2mm. There is a screen
at a distance D = 1m from slit. If R.I. of the y
S1 
medium between slits and screen is varying with
time as  = 20 – 4t until it becomes 1. A glass
slab of R.I.  = 5 and thickness 0.2 mm is placed d
infront of one of the slit S1 as shown in figure. In
figure y represent position of central maxima on
the screen from its geometrical centre. Match S2
List - I with List - II and select the correct answer
using the codes given below the lists:
D

List – I List – II
(P) At t = 0, value of |y| in (cm) (1) 40
(Q) At t = 5s value of |y| (in cm) (2) 7.5
Speed of central maxima when it is at
(R) (3) 1
geometrical centre of screen (in cm/s)
(S) Fringe width at time t = 3.75 sec (m) (4) 8
Codes:
P Q R S
(A) 2 1 4 3
(B) 3 2 1 2
(C) 4 1 2 3
(D) 1 3 4 2

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 52

MATCH THE FOLLOWING TYPE

This question contains statements given in two columns which have to be matched. Statements (A, B, C,
D) in column I have to be matched with statements (p, q, r, s, t) in column II.

1. Column-I consists of ray diagram and Column – II consists wavefronts, then match the following.
Column – I Column – II

Complete wavefront of
(A) (p)
propagating rays

(B) C F Wavefront of reflected rays (q)

(C) Wavefront of refracted rays (r)

F2

F2
(D) Wavefront of refracted rays (s)

(t)

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 53

MATCHING TYPE WITH 3 COLUMNS & 4 ROWS

The following table has 3 columns and 4 rows. Based on table, there are THREE questions. Each
question has FOUR options (A), (B), (C), and (D). ONLY ONE of these four options is correct

Column 1 shows four different setups for observing interference on a screen for different values
of D (in column 2) and d (in column 3). D and d are mention in the diagram.

Column 1 (Setup) Column 2 (D) Column 3 (d)

Slit Plane

Light source
of  = 5000 Å d C
(I) (i) 1/2 m (P) 2mm
D

Screen

Slit Plane

Light source
of  = 6000 Å d/2 d C
(II) (ii) 2m (Q) 1mm
D

Screen

Plane mirror
Light source d/2
of  = 5000 Å C
(III) D/10 3D/10 6D/10 (iii) 3m (R) 4 mm

Screen

Angle of prism A = 1
A
 = 1.5

Light source
of  = 4000 Å C 9
 cm
(IV) (iv) 3/2 m (S)
d 
A
D Screen

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 54

1. For which of combination fringe width is maximum?

(A) (I) (iv) (S) (B) (III) (i) (P)
(C) (II) (iii) (Q) (D) (IV) (ii) (R)

IC
2. For which of the combination is minimum, where IC is the intensity at point C and Imax is the
Imax
maximum intensity on the screen.
(A) (II) (iv) (P) (B) (II) (i) (Q)
(C) (III) (ii) (R) (D) (IV) (iii) (S)

3. For which of the combination no. of fringes on the screen is minimum?

(A) (I) (iii) (P) (B) (III)(i) (R)
(C) (II) (ii) (R) (D) (IV) (iii) (S)

ASSERTION - REASON TYPE

This question contains statement-1 (Assertion) and Statement-2 (Reason). Question has 4 choice (A),
(B), (C) and (D) out of which only one is correct.

1. In Young’s double slit experiment monochromatic light is used to observe interference pattern on
a screen placed in front of slits. Now whole experiment is done in a liquid and a thin glass plate is
placed normally in the path of the beam coming from one slit.
STATEMENT -1
Fringe width, position of central maxima and wavelength change.
because

STATEMENT -2
Refractive index of medium now is different and glass plate changes optical path.
(A) Statement-1 is true, Statement -2 is true, Statement -2 is a correct explanation for
statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is true, Statement -2 is true, Statement -2 is not a correct explanation for
statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is true, Statement -2 is false.
(D) Statement-1 is false, Statement -2 is true.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 55

SECTION-III
(MULTI CHOICE SINGLE CORRECT)
1. In Young’s double slit experiment, the 7th maximum with wavelength 1 is at a distance d1 and
that with wavelength 2 is at distance d2. Then, d1/d2 is
(A) 1/2 (B) 2/1
(C) 12 /  22 (D)  22 / 12

2. In Young’s double slit experiment, white light is used. The seperation between the slits is kept 1
mm and intensity is observed on screen distance 2m from the plane of the slits. At a point on the
screen directly opposite to the either slit which of the following wavelength is not present
(A) ultraviolet (B) red
(C) Yellow (D) Green

3. Electromagnetic waves are

(A) transverse (B) longitudinal
(C) longitudinal or transverse (D) none of these

4. If vg, v x and v m are the speeds of gamma rays, x-rays and microwaves respectively in vacuum
then
(A) vg < v x < v m (B) vg > v x > v m
(C) vg > v x > v m (D) vg = v x = v m
5. There are three wavelengths 107 m, 1010 m, 107 m. Find their respective name.
(A) Radiowaves, X–rays, visible rays (B) x-ray, visible ray, radiowave,
(C) Visible ray, -ray, -ray (D) x-ray, -ray, radiowave.

6. Speed of electromagnetic waves in vacuum is equal to

1
(A) (B) 0 0
0  0
1
(C) 00 (D)
0  0
NUMERICAL BASED TYPE
1. When the distance between the object and the screen is more than 4f, we can obtain the image
of the object on the screen for the two positions of the lens. It is called displacement method. In
one case, the image is magnified. If I1 = 3 mm and I2 = 12 mm be the sizes of the two images,
then find the size of the object in mm.

2. The energy contained in a small volume through which an electromagnetic wave is passing
oscillates with n times the frequency of the wave. Find the value of n.

NUMERICAL BASED DECIMAL TYPE

1. When entire Young's double slit apparatus is immersed in a liquid the fringe width decreases by
20%. Find the refractive index of the liquid.

2. In YDSE of equal width slits, if intensity at the centre of screen is I0, then intensity at a distance of
/4 from the central maxima is kI0 . Find the value of k. ( is the fringe width)

3. Consider single slit experiment of diffraction of light. If the light of wavelength 5000 Å fall on a slit
of width 1 m then the angular width of central maximum is k. Find the value of k.

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 56

ANSWERS TO CHAPTER PRACTICE PROBLEMS

Subjective Questions
1. 0.72 mm

D  D
2. = &  = , 0.3 mm
d d

3. 590 nm


4. (a) (  1)t, (b)
2(  1)

5. As n1 1 = n2 2 (n = 2)

MCQ - Single Correct

6. D

7. C

8. C

9. A

10. B

11. D

12. B

13. B

14. B

15. D

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 57

ANSWERS TO ASSIGNMENTS
SECTION-I
1. 0.05 A

2. Ozone layer absorbs the harmful ultraviolet waves heading towards the earth surface.
9
3. 10 Hz.

4. The wavelength of microwaves is sufficiently small as compared to the obstacles.

-1
5. cos (1/ 3 )

6. 4.5  10-3 rad.

7. sin-1(1/ 3 )

8. 0.0024 radian

9. 6000 Å

10. 0.3 cm

11. (i) P = 60 (ii) 30

12. 560 nm

13. (i) 21. (ii) 2I

14 dark, 1.5 mm

15. I0

SECTION-II
OBJECTIVE
(MULTI CHOICE SINGLE CORRECT)
1. C 2. B 3. A 4. C
5. D 6. A 7. C 8. D
9. D 10. D 11. B 12. B

MULTI CHOICE MULTI CORRECT

1. A, B, C, D 2. A, C 3. A, B, C

NUMERICAL BASED TYPE

1. 9 2. 9

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS
 58

NUMERICAL BASED WITH NON-NEGATIVE INTEGER TYPE

1. 4 2. 4

NUMERICAL BASED DECIMAL TYPE

1. 1.44 2. 1.56

NUMERICAL BASED (QUESTION STEM) DECIMAL TYPE

1. 1.20 2. 0.80

LINKED COMPREHENSION TYPE

(I) 1. B 2. C 3. A
(II) 1. D 2. A 3. A
(III) 1. A 2. B

MATCH LIST TYPE

1. C 2. A 3. D 4. A

MATCH THE FOLLOWING TYPE

1. A  (s) B  (q) C  (q) D  (p)

MATCHING TYPE WITH 3 COLUMNS & 4 ROWS

1. D 2. C 3. D

ASSERTION - REASON TYPE

1. A

SECTION-III
(MULTI CHOICE SINGLE CORRECT)
1. A 2. D 3. A 4. D
5. A 6. A

NUMERICAL BASED TYPE

1. 6 2. 2

NUMERICAL BASED DECIMAL TYPE

1. 1.25 2. 0.50 3. 60.00

IITJEE-2223-PHYSICS-WAVE OPTICS