439

[Chapter-] Physical Optics

EXTRA IMPORTANT SHORT QUESTIONS

(From All Boards)
The center of Newton's rings is dark, why? (Lhr. 2011; Grw. 2011)
Q,1
Ans. Why Does the Central Look Dark?
At the point of contact of the lens and glass plate the thickness of the film is effectively zero but
due to retlectioD at the lower surface'of air film from denser medium, an additional patn
difference of /2 (phase difference 180) is introduced. Consequently, the centre of Newton
rings is dark due to destructive interference.
Q.2 What isHuygen's principle?
2013, 2016; D.G. Khan 2012)
(Lhr. zo14 G-l; Grw. 2011, 2014: BwD. 2013. 2014: Swl. 2013, 2017: Mtn.
Ans. Huygen's Principle:
This Principle Consists of Two Parts:
considered as a source of
(0) Ihe first part states that every point of wave front may be
equal to the
secondary wave lets which spread out in forward direction with a speed
speed of propagation of the wave.
certain interval of
(ii) The second part states that the new position of the wave front after
time can be found by constructing a surface that touches all the secondary wavelets.
What are coherent sources of light? (Lhr. 2014)
Q,3
difference, are
Ans. The monochromatic sources of light which emit waves, having a constant phase
called coherent Sources.
What is the phase relationship between two points on a wave front? (Lhr. 2014)
Q.4
Ans. The phase difference between two points on the same wave front is always zero.
Q.5 What are the main differences between interference and diffraction?
(Lhr. 2016; Sgd. 2017; Fsd. 2012; Swl. 2012, 2013)
Ans. Difference between interferénce and diffraction:
Interference:
Interference fringes are obtained due to the superposítion of light coming from two
(0)
different wave fronts originating from two coherent sources.
(ii) The width,nof
of interference fringes is generally same.
(iii) The intensity of allthe bright fringes is same.
Diffraction:
Diffraction fringes are obtained dueto the superposition of light coming from different
()
.parts of the same wavelength.
(üi) The width of diffraction fringes is not same.
(ii) The intensity of all the bright fringes is not same. It is maximum for central fringe and
decreasessharply for first, second etc. bright fringes.
440 Key Physics F.Sc. Part-!
Q.6 On what factors does the fringe width depend? (Lhr. 2017; Mtn. 2011Supply)
Ans. Fringe Width:

Distance between the centre of two consecutive bright fringes or dark fringes is called fringe
spacing or fringe width.
AL
Ay d

Results:
(i) Fringe spacing depends directly on wavelength '2.
(ii) Fringe spacing varies directly with distance '.
(iii) Fringe spacing varies inversely with distance 'd'.
Q,7 Define diffraction grating and grating element. (Lhr. 2017)
Ans. Diffraction Grating:
Adiffraction grating is aglass plate having a large number of close parallel
equidistant slits
mechanically ruled on it. The transparent spacing between the scratches on the glass plate act
as slits.

Grating Element:
The distance between two adjacent slits is calied grating elements. It is
denoted by d.
Grating element d Length of the grating L
No. of lines ruled on it N

If we cònsider unit length of diffraction grating, then

1
d
N

Q,8 What is the diffraction of light?

(Grw. 2012)
Ans. Diffractlon of Light:
The property'of bending of light around
obstacles and spreading of light wave into the
geometrical shadow of an obstacle is called diffraction.
0.9 Define wave front and spherical wave front?
(Grw. 2013)
Ans. Wave Front:
Asurface at which all the waves have
same phase of vibration'is known as wave front.
Spherical Wave Front:
When the disturtbance travels out in all direction from a point source of light the
are called spherical wave fronts. wave fronts
[Chapter-9] Physical Optics 441
Q.10 what Is optical rotation? (Rrwp. 2011; Mtn. 2016: D.G. Khan 2013, 2014 G-1)
Ans. Optical Rotation:
When a plan polarized light passed through certain crystals, they rotate the plane or
polarization.
Quartz and sodium chlorate crystals are typical examples, which are termed as optilcally actlve
crystals.
Certain organic substances,such as sugar and tartaric acid, show optical rotation when they are
in solution this property of optically active substances can be used to determine their
concentration in the solutions.
a.11 Write the conditions for detetable interference. (Rwp. 2012; Fsd. 2013; Mtn. 2016)

Ans. Conditions for Detectable Interference:

Interference of light cannót be easily observed due to random emission of light from asource.
Therefore, following conditions must be fulfilled in order to observe the phenomenon of
interference.

(i) The interfering beams must be monochromatic (that is, of single wavelength).
(ii) The interfering beams of light must be coherent.
Q.12 Write two applications of Michelson interferometer. (Fsd. 2016)
Ans. Use of Michelson Interferometer:
() s useri ior determnaiOn of wavelength of light.
(ii) Michelson measured the length of standard meter in terms of wavelength of red
cadmium light'and proved that standard meter = 1553163.5 wavelength of light.
(ii) Iflight of wavelength à=400 nm is used, then it can measure the thickness up to 10 mm
(or 100 n).
Q.13 What do youmean by wave frornt and ray of light? (Fsd. 2017)

Ans. Wave Front:

Such a surface on which all the points have the same phase of vibration is known as wave front.

ARay of Light:
A line normal to the wave front, which gives the direction of motion of the wave, is called a ray
of light.
A ray is always perpendicular to the wave front.
q.14 Write three factors on which interference in thin film depends. (Rwp. 2016)

Ans. Dependence of Path Difference:

Their path difference depends upon three factors:
(i) Thickness of the film.
(i) Nature of film.
(ii) Angle of incidence of the beam.
 442 Key Physics F.Sc. Part-!
Q.15 Write the name of any four processes to obtain plane polarized light from unpolarized.
(Lhr. 201 1; Grw. 2011; D.G. Khan 2017)

Ans. Production and Detection of Plane Polarized Light:

Itis possible to obtain plane polarized beam of light from un-polarized light by various methods
as given below
(1) Selective absorption.
(ii) Reflection from different surfaces.
(ii) Scattering by small particles.
(iv) Refraction through crystal.
Q.16 What is polarization of light? (Lhr. 2013 G-I;Fsd. 2011)
Ans. Polarization:
The phenomena of interference and diffraction have proved that light has wave nature. But
these phenomena do not show whether light waves are longitudinal or transverse. The
phenomenon of polarization helps us to decide that light waves are transverse.
In transverse waves (such as produced in stretched string) the particles of the medium vibrate
perpendicular to the direction' of propagation of waves, The vibrations can be oriented along
vertical, horizontal or any other direction.