# MAKAUT B.

Tech CSE Physics - Unit 2: Optics

## Comprehensive Model Question Set (60 Questions)

### Analysis of MAKAUT Question Patterns:

- **Short Questions (2 marks)**: Definitions, differences, basic concepts
- **Medium Questions (3-5 marks)**: Derivations, explanations, numerical problems
- **Long Questions (7-10 marks)**: Complete derivations, detailed explanations,
applications

---

## SECTION A: INTERFERENCE AND DIFFRACTION (Questions 1-20)

### **Interference vs Diffraction**

**Q1.** State the main differences between interference and diffraction phenomena.
(2 marks)

**Q2.** Why is diffraction considered as a special case of interference? Explain.

(3 marks)

**Q3.** Define coherent sources. Why are they necessary for producing interference
patterns? (2 marks)

### **Fraunhofer and Fresnel Diffraction**

**Q4.** Distinguish between Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction with suitable

diagrams. (5 marks)

**Q5.** What are the necessary conditions for Fraunhofer diffraction to occur? (2
marks)

**Q6.** Why is a convex lens used in Fraunhofer diffraction experiments? (2 marks)

**Q7.** Compare the wavefront curvature in Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction. (3

marks)

### **Single Slit Diffraction**

**Q8.** Derive the expression for the position of minima in Fraunhofer diffraction
at a single slit. (7 marks)

**Q9.** Derive the intensity distribution equation for single slit Fraunhofer
diffraction pattern. (10 marks)

**Q10.** A single slit of width 0.2 mm is illuminated by light of wavelength 589

nm. Calculate the angular width of the central maximum when the screen is at 1 m
from the slit. (5 marks)

**Q11.** Explain why the central maximum in single slit diffraction is twice as
wide as secondary maxima. (3 marks)

**Q12.** What happens to the diffraction pattern when: (a) slit width is increased,
(b) wavelength is increased? (3 marks)

**Q13.** In single slit diffraction, if 'a' is the slit width and λ is wavelength,
derive the condition for nth minimum. (5 marks)

### **Double Slit Diffraction**

**Q14.** Derive the intensity distribution for Fraunhofer diffraction at a double
slit. Explain the missing orders. (10 marks)

**Q15.** What are missing orders in double slit diffraction? Under what condition
do they occur? (3 marks)

**Q16.** In a double slit experiment, slit width is 0.03 mm and separation is 0.15
mm. How many interference fringes will be observed within the central diffraction
maximum? (5 marks)

**Q17.** Distinguish between interference pattern and diffraction pattern in

Young's double slit experiment. (3 marks)

### **Multiple Slit Diffraction**

**Q18.** Derive the condition for principal maxima in N-slit Fraunhofer diffraction
pattern. (7 marks)

**Q19.** What are secondary maxima in multiple slit diffraction? How many secondary
maxima exist between two successive principal maxima for N slits? (3 marks)

**Q20.** Explain the effect of increasing the number of slits on the sharpness of
principal maxima. (3 marks)

---

## SECTION B: DIFFRACTION GRATING (Questions 21-30)

### **Grating Theory**

**Q21.** Define diffraction grating. Derive the grating equation (d sin θ = nλ) for
principal maxima. (7 marks)

**Q22.** What is grating element? Explain its significance. (2 marks)

**Q23.** A diffraction grating has 5000 lines per cm. Calculate the grating
element. (2 marks)

**Q24.** Explain why higher orders of diffraction pattern become fainter in a

grating. (3 marks)

### **Resolving Power**

**Q25.** Define resolving power of a diffraction grating. Derive the expression R =

nN, where n is the order and N is the total number of lines. (10 marks)

**Q26.** A grating has 4000 lines/cm and is 5 cm wide. Calculate its resolving
power in the second order. (3 marks)

**Q27.** What is Rayleigh's criterion of resolution? Apply it to diffraction

grating. (5 marks)

**Q28.** Two spectral lines of wavelengths 5890 Å and 5896 Å (sodium D-lines) are
to be resolved in the second order. Calculate the minimum number of lines required
in the grating. (5 marks)

### **Grating Characteristics and Applications**

**Q29.** Discuss the important characteristics of a diffraction grating: (i)
Dispersive power, (ii) Resolving power, (iii) Free spectral range. (7 marks)

**Q30.** Explain the following applications of diffraction grating:

- (a) Spectrum analysis
- (b) Wavelength measurement
- (c) Structure determination (5 marks)

---

## SECTION C: POLARISATION (Questions 31-45)

### **Introduction to Polarisation**

**Q31.** What is polarisation of light? Why can't sound waves be polarized? (3

marks)

**Q32.** Distinguish between unpolarized, plane polarized, and partially polarized

light. (3 marks)

**Q33.** Explain the terms: (a) Plane of vibration, (b) Plane of polarisation. (2
marks)

**Q34.** What is a polarizer and analyzer? How can you distinguish between
unpolarized and plane polarized light? (3 marks)

### **Polarisation by Reflection**

**Q35.** State and prove Brewster's law. Derive the expression for Brewster's
angle. (7 marks)

**Q36.** What is Brewster's angle? Calculate Brewster's angle for water (refractive
index = 1.33). (3 marks)

**Q37.** Show that at Brewster's angle, the reflected and refracted rays are
perpendicular to each other. (5 marks)

**Q38.** Explain polarisation by reflection with a neat diagram. Why is the

reflected light completely polarized at the polarizing angle? (5 marks)

**Q39.** A ray of light is incident on a glass surface (μ = 1.5) at polarizing

angle. Calculate the angle of refraction. (3 marks)

### **Polarisation by Double Refraction**

**Q40.** What is double refraction? Explain with reference to calcite crystal. (3

marks)

**Q41.** Distinguish between ordinary ray (O-ray) and extraordinary ray (E-ray) in
double refraction. (3 marks)

**Q42.** What is optic axis of a crystal? Define uniaxial and biaxial crystals with
examples. (3 marks)

**Q43.** Explain the construction and working of a Nicol prism as a polarizer. (5

marks)

### **Scattering of Light**

**Q44.** Explain Rayleigh's scattering of light. Why is the sky blue and the sunset
red? (5 marks)

**Q45.** Derive the relation for intensity of scattered light: I ∝ 1/λ⁴ (Rayleigh's
scattering law). (7 marks)

### **Circular and Elliptical Polarisation**

**Q46.** Distinguish between linearly polarized, circularly polarized, and

elliptically polarized light. (3 marks)

**Q47.** Explain the production of circularly polarized light using a quarter-wave

plate. (5 marks)

**Q48.** What is a quarter-wave plate? How does it differ from a half-wave plate?
(3 marks)

**Q49.** Derive the condition for producing circularly polarized light when plane
polarized light passes through a quarter-wave plate. (7 marks)

**Q50.** Show that two circularly polarized light waves of opposite rotation
combine to form plane polarized light. (5 marks)

### **Optical Activity**

**Q51.** What is optical activity? Distinguish between dextrorotatory and

laevorotatory substances with examples. (3 marks)

**Q52.** Define specific rotation. Write its expression and units. (2 marks)

**Q53.** Explain Laurent's half-shade polarimeter for measuring optical rotation.

(5 marks)

**Q54.** A 20 cm long tube containing sugar solution rotates the plane of

polarization by 13.2°. If the specific rotation is 66°, calculate the concentration
of the solution. (5 marks)

**Q55.** Discuss Fresnel's theory of optical activity. (5 marks)

---

## SECTION D: LASERS (Questions 56-60)

### **Laser Fundamentals**

**Q56.** What is a laser? Explain the terms: (a) Spontaneous emission, (b)
Stimulated emission, (c) Population inversion. (7 marks)

**Q57.** State Einstein's A and B coefficients. Derive the relation between them.
(7 marks)

**Q58.** What is population inversion? Why is it necessary for laser action?

Explain with energy level diagrams. (5 marks)

**Q59.** Distinguish between spontaneous emission and stimulated emission. Why is

stimulated emission important for laser production? (3 marks)

**Q60.** Explain the following:

- (a) Pumping mechanisms (optical, electrical, chemical)
- (b) Threshold population inversion
- (c) Various laser modes (continuous wave, pulsed mode)
- (d) Examples: Ruby laser (3-level system), He-Ne laser (4-level system) (10
marks)

---

## BONUS NUMERICAL PROBLEMS

**Q61.** A diffraction grating has 6000 lines per cm. Find the angular separation
between the sodium D-lines (λ₁ = 5890 Å, λ₂ = 5896 Å) in the second order spectrum.
(5 marks)

**Q62.** In a single slit diffraction experiment, the slit width is 0.15 mm and the
screen is 2 m away. If the distance between the first minima on either side of the
central maximum is 1.6 cm, calculate the wavelength of light used. (5 marks)

**Q63.** Calculate the minimum number of lines in a grating that will just resolve
the sodium D-lines in the first order. (λ₁ = 5890 Å, λ₂ = 5896 Å) (5 marks)

---

## IMPORTANT FORMULAS TO REMEMBER

### Diffraction:
- **Single slit minima:** a sin θ = nλ (n = ±1, ±2, ...)
- **Single slit intensity:** I = I₀ (sin β / β)², where β = (πa sin θ)/λ
- **Double slit:** Combined interference + diffraction pattern
- **Grating equation:** d sin θ = nλ
- **Resolving power:** R = λ/dλ = nN

### Polarisation:
- **Brewster's law:** tan iₚ = μ
- **Malus law:** I = I₀ cos²θ
- **Specific rotation:** θ = [α] × l × c

### Laser:
- **Threshold condition:** For population inversion N₂ > N₁
- **Einstein relations:** B₁₂ = B₂₁ and A₂₁/B₂₁ = 8πhν³/c³

---

## EXAM PREPARATION TIPS

1. **Focus Areas (Based on trends):**

- Single slit diffraction (complete derivation)
- Grating resolving power derivation
- Brewster's law and polarization by reflection
- Laser principles and population inversion

2. **High-Probability Questions:**
- Numerical on grating resolving power
- Difference between Fraunhofer and Fresnel
- Optical activity and specific rotation
- Laser pumping mechanisms

3. **Practice:**
- Draw clear diagrams for all optical phenomena
- Memorize all important formulas
 - Solve at least 10 numerical problems from each topic
- Understand physical significance of mathematical expressions

**Good Luck with Your MAKAUT Examination! 🎓**