Interference of Light

1. Two coherent sources whose intensity ratio is 81:1 produce interference fringes. Deduce the ratio of
maximum intensity to minimum intensity.

Sol. Given that

or ( a1 = 9 a2)

Now

2. The ratio of intensity of the maxima and minima of interference fringes is 25:9. Determine the ratio
between the amplitude and intensities of the two interference beams.

Sol.
Where a1 and a2 are the amplitudes of two interfering beams

or 5 a1 – 5 a2 = 3 a1 + 3 a2
or 2 a1 = 8 a2

or
If I1 and I2 be the intensities of the two interfering beams then

I1 : I2 = 16 : 1
3. Two coherent sources of intensity ratio interfere. Prove that in the interference pattern

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Sol. Let I1 and I2 be the intensities and a1 and a2 the amplitudes of the disturbances from the two coherent
sources. We know that the intensity is proportional to the square of amplitude, we have

or

Further, and

4. Find the ratio of 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.
Sol. We now that

{a1 = a2 = a}

At centre
The phase difference between two consecutive fringes is 2p, therefore, phase difference at a distance
one quarter between two fringes will be .
If I1 is the intensity at a point one quarter of the distance between the fringes from centre, then
I1 = 2 a2 (1 + cos /2) = 2a2

Now
5. In Young’s double slit experiment, the distance between the slits is 0.5 mm and the distance of the
screen from coherent sources is 50 cm. If the fringe width is 0.05 cm; find the wavelength of light.

Sol. Here, 2d = 0.5 mm = 0.05 cm, D = 50 cm, and

We know that

or,

6. What is the maximum intensity in case of interference of n identical waves each of intensity I 0 if the
interference is coherent?

Sol. We know that,

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 For n identical waves, each of intensity I0, we have

7. Two coherent beams of wavelength 5000 Å reaching a point would individually produce intensities
1.44 and 4.00 units. If they reach there together, the intensity is 0.9 units. Calculate the lowest phase
difference with which the beams reach that point.
Sol. We know that

Where, I1 and I2 are the intensities of coherent waves.

Here, and

or

or

or

8. Two coherent sources of monochromatic light of wavelength 6000 Å produce an interference pattern
on a screen kept at a distance of 1m from them. The distance between two consecutive bright fringes
on the screen is 0.5 mm. Find the distance between the two coherent sources.
Sol. The fringe width  is given by

where 2d = distance between the sources

Given that,

and

So,

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9. Calculate the separation between two consecutive bright and dark fringes.
Sol. We know that the position of nth bright fringe is given by

…(1)
The position of nth dark fringe is given by

(n = 1, 2, 3…) …(2)
Where, the symbols have their usual meaning.
So, the separation between two consecutive bright and dark fringes is

or

10. In a two slit interference pattern at a point we observe 10 th order maximum for What order
will be visible here, if the source of light is replaced by light of wavelength 5000 Å?
Sol. For maximum intensity at a point on the screen in case of two slit interference pattern, the path
difference between the two rays originating from two coherent sources should be an integral multiple
of i.e.,

Path difference where n = 0, 1, 2, 3,…

Suppose at a point, order maximum occurs for wavelength, and order maximum for
wavelength then

or

Therefore, 14th order maximum will be visible.

11. 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 distance of the third bright fringe on the screen from the control maximum for the wavelength
6500 Å.
Sol. for bright fringes

Here, and mm = 0.2 cm.

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12. Find the thickness of a soap film  = 1.33 which gives constructive second order interference of
reflected red light of m = 700 m  (millimicrons).
Sol. For constructive interference

where n = 0, 1, 2,…
For normal incidence cos r = cos 0° = 1

For second order interference, n = 1. Hence,

or

= 3.95 × 10–7 metre

13. A drop of volume 0.2 cc is dropped on a surface of a tank of water of area 1 sq. metre. The film
spreads uniformly over the whole surface and white light which is incident normally, is observed
through a spectrometer. The spectrum is seen to contain one dark band whose centre has wavelength
5.5 × 10–5 cm in air. Find the refractive index of oil.
Sol. Since, the drop of volume 0.2 cc spreads uniformly over one metre 2, therefore the thickness of the film
so formed is given by

The film appears dark by reflected light for wavelengths given by

Here, for normal incidence r = 0, cos r = 1, n = 1 and

14. White light falls normally on a film of soapy water whose thickness is 5 × 10–5 cm and m = 1.33.
Which wavelength in the visible region will be reflected most strongly?
Sol. The condition of maxima is given by

Where n = 0, 1, 2, 3…
Here,t = 5 × 10 cm,  = 1.33, r = 0°, i.e., cos r = 1.
–5

Now,

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 By substituting the values of n = 0, 1, 2,… we get a series of wavelengths which shall be
predominately reflected by the film

For n = 0,

n = 1,

n = 2,

n = 3,
Out of these wavelengths only 5.320 × 10–5 cm or 5320 × 10–8 cm lies within the visible region (4000 ×
10–8 cm to 7500 × 10–8 cm). Hence, 5230 Å is the most strongly reflected wavelength.

15. White light is reflected normally from a uniform oil film ( = 1.33). An interference maximum for
6000 Å and a minimum for 4500 Å, with no minimum in between are observed. Calculate film
thickness.
Sol. The condition for maximum intensity is given by

n = 0, 1, 2 …
And the condition for minimum intensity is given by

n = 1, 2, 3…
Applying the condition of maximum intensity for wavelength  = 6000 Å, we have

…(1)

Next, there is a minimum for we have

2 × 1.3 × t = (n +1) 4500 Å …(2)
From eqs. (1) and (2), we get

Solving it, we get n = 1.

Substituting, n = 1 in eq. (2), we get

16. A parallel beam of sodium light strike a film of oil ( = 1.46) floating on water ( = 1.33). When
viewed at an angle of 30° from the normal, the eighth dark band is seen. Find the thickness of the film.

Sol. For dark bands,

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 Now,

Substituting, the values, we hve

17. If the angle of a wedge is 0.25° and the wavelength of sodium lines are 5890 Å and 5896 Å, find the
distance from the apex at which the maxima due to two wavelengths first coincide when observed in
reflected light.
Sol. Let t be the thickness of the wedge at the point where the maximum of 5896 Å coincides with the
maximum of 5890 Å. For the maximum intensity in the reflected light, we have

and
Thus, (2n +1) (5896/2) = (2n +30 (5890/2)

Solving we get
Let x cm be the distance from the apex at which the maxima of the wavelengths coincide. If  be the
wedge angel then

Here,

18. A square piece of cellophane film index of refraction 1.5 has a wedge shaped section so that its
thickness at two opposite sides is t 1 and t2. If with a light of the number of fringes
appearing on the film is 10, calculate the difference (t2 – t1).

Sol. Here,
If n be the order of the fringes at one end where the thickness is t 1, then the order of the fringes at the
other end where the thickness is t2 will be (n + 10). Using the formula at two ends, we
have

…(1)

…(2)
From eqs. (1) and (2), on substituting, we get

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 or
For normal incidence r = 0 and cos r = 1

19. Light of wavelength 6000 Å falls normally on a thin wedge-shaped film of refractive index 1.4
forming fringes that are 2.0 mm apart. Find the angle of the wedge in seconds.

Sol. For a film of refractive index , the fringe width  is given as

or …(1)
Where  is the angle formed by a medium.
Substituting the given values, we get

= 0.0061° = 0.0061 × 60 × 60 second = 21.96 sec

20. Two plane glass surfaces in contact along one edge are separated at the opposite edge by a thin wire. If
20 interference fringes are observed between these edges in sodium light of normal incidence, what is
the thickness of the wire?
Sol. Let t be the thickness of the wire and , the length of the wedge as shown in figure.
The angle of the wedge

Fringe width in air wedge

If N fringes are seen, that

or

Given that and

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