Physics Smart Booklet

11.Dual Nature of
Radiation and Matter

Physics Smart Booklet

Theory + NCERT MCQs + Topic Wise
Practice MCQs + NEET PYQs

1
Physics Smart Booklet

2
Physics Smart Booklet

Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter

Photoelectric effect
Electrons are the common constituents of all atoms and hence of all materials. The electrons inside a material are
held by electrostatic forces, so that they cannot by themselves come out of the material. By supplying proper energy
from outside, some of the electrons in a material can be made to come out, and this phenomenon is known as electron
emission. The minimum energy required to remove an electron from a material is called the work function, of that
material.
Types of Electron Emission
According to the free electron theory of metals, a large number of loosely bound electrons exist in a metal. Thus,
electrons can be liberated from a metal surface by any one of the following methods.
1. The process of emission of electrons from the surface of a metal by heating it is called thermionic emission.
2. The process of emission of electrons from the surface of a metal by using radiation of suitable frequency (UV,
Visible, IR etc.,) of suitable frequency is called photoelectric emission.
3. The process of emission of electrons from the surface of a metal, using an electric field is called
field emission or cold emission.
4. The process of emission of electrons from the surface of a metal, using a beam of accelerated charged particles is
called secondary emission.

Photoelectric effect is the phenomenon of emission of electrons from a surface when radiation of suitable
frequency falls on it.
W
T

T = Evacuated tube e e
C = Photo cathode e e
C A
A = Collector plate
W = quartz window
B = Voltage source
A = microammeter
A
B
Experimental results
1. For a given material (photosensitive cathode), there is a frequency of radiation, below which photoelectric
emission does not take place, whatever may be the intensity. This minimum frequency is called threshold
frequency (0), with respect to that material.
The wavelength corresponding to the threshold frequency is called the limiting wavelength (0).
For photoelectric effect to take place, incident > 0 and hence incident < 0.
2. Photoelectric effect is almost instantaneous.

3
Physics Smart Booklet
(KE) (or Vs)
3. When the frequency of radiation incident on a photoemission surface is Emitter 1 2 3
increased above the threshold frequency, the kinetic energy of the
photoelectrons increases linearly.
A graph of maximum kinetic energy of the emitted photoelectrons versus the
frequency of radiation is a straight line.
The slope is same for all emitters and thus, a set of parallel straight lines is obtained. O 

Current

4. When  > 0, if the intensity of the incident radiation is increased, the
number of photoelectrons liberated and hence the photoelectric current
increases.
Intensity
O

5. If the collector potential with respect to the emitter is reduced to zero, current does not reduce to zero. If
the collector potential is made negative with respect to the emitter and then increased, the current decreases.
At a particular negative potential (Vs), the photoelectric current becomes zero. This potential is called
stopping potential.
Kinetic energy is eV is numerically equal to stropping potential in volt.
I
Higher Intensity

6. As the collector potential (+V w.r.t. emitter) is increased, the

photoelectric current (I) increases gradually to a certain constant value Lower Intensity
called the saturation current (Is).
V
VS O

Einstein's explanation of photoelectric effect

Assumed that a beam of light is composed of discrete packets of energy called photons, which travel with the
velocity of light. The energy of a photon is given by
hc
E = h =

where h → Planck's constant = 6.625  10 −34 J s
 → frequency of incident light (in hertz)
c → speed of light in free space = 3 10 8 m s −1
 → wavelength of light incident on the photosensitive surface (in metre).

A metal has a large number of free electrons. Though these electrons are free to move within the metal, they cannot
come out of the metal surface. A certain minimum energy is required to pull them out. This is called the
workfunction.

Hence, the energy equation can be written as,

 Energy of the   photoelectric   maximum kinetic energy of 
incident photon  =  workfunction  +  
     the photoelectron 

4
Physics Smart Booklet
1 1
h = W + mv 2max  mv2max = h − W  (KE)max = E − W
2 2
where m = mass of an electron, vmax = maximum velocity of the photo electron and W is the work function, of the
material.
This equation is called Einstein's photoelectric equation.
Einstein’s photo electric equation can be also written as
1 2
mvmax = h( − 0 )
2

hc 6.625 10−34  3 108 12400 1240

• For quick calculation, E = =  eV = eV
eλ 1.6 10−19   10−10 0
(A)  (nm)

12400 1240
• Similarly, work function = W  eV = eV
0 (A)
0
 0 (nm)

2eVs 2  1.6  10−19  VS

• v max = =  6 105 VS m s −1
m 9.1 10−31
• Physical significance of various geometrical terms used in the following graphs.

eV
J

Slope = h Slope = h/e

 0
 (Hz)
 (Hz)
W (J) 0
W (eV)
Graph 1
Graph 2

Geometrical terms Graph 1 Graph 2

Abscissa Frequency in Hz Frequency in Hz
Ordinate (KE)max in J (KE)max in eV

Slope h h/e
x-intercept Threshold frequency 0 Threshold frequency 0
y- intercept (negative) W in J W in eV  V s in volt

Photocells
A photocell device which converts light energy into electrical energy. Three major types are:
(i) Photoemissive cell
(ii) Photovoltaic cell (used as a source of emf)
(iii) Photoconductive cell
Applications of photocells
Photocells have several applications. For example,
1. In cinematography for reproduction of sound.
2. In television cameras for converting optical images into electrical signals.
3. In exposure meters fitted to cameras (combination of a photocell and galvanometer).
4. For automatic switching, depending on the presence or absence of light.

5
Physics Smart Booklet
5. In burglar alarm, fire alarm etc.
6. In photometry to compare illumination due to two sources of light.
7. In identification of colour.
8. For measurement of opacity or turbidity.
9. In smoke detection.
10. In the construction of solar panels.

Illustrations

1. Out of the following, the incorrect statement is

(A) wave theory can explain satisfactorily interference, diffraction and polarization
(B) wave theory can explain photoelectric effect
(C) Max Planck’s hypothesis of quantization was used by Einstein to explain photo electric effect.
(D) Wave theory could not explain the energy distribution in the Black body spectrum.
Ans (B)
Explanation of photoelectric threshold requires the absorption of energy by the emitted electron in one shot. In other
words, the electron to be released should get the complete energy requirement at one go which is possible only when
the incident energy is treated as a photon. Further on increasing the frequency of the incident radiation above the
threshold the kinetic energy of the photoelectrons increases. These concepts are clear from Einstein’s photoelectric
equation.
If a wave could supply energy continuously after sufficient time photoelectrons should have been liberated for
incident light of any wavelength. This is not seen experimentally.
2. Of the following, the graph which represents the variation of energy (E) of a photon with wavelength () of the
radiation is

(A) (B) (C) (D)

Ans (B)
hc 1
The energy of a photon is given by E = E .
 
Therefore the graph of E v/s  is rectangular hyperbola.
3. The threshold wavelength for sodium is 680 nm. The photoelectric workfunction in eV is
(h = 6.62 10−34 Js,)
1 eV = 1.6 10−19 J, c = 3 108 m s−1
(A) 0.1825 (B) 1.825 (C) 18.25 (D) 18.25  10−19
Ans (B)
We know that, the work function of a metal is given by
hc 6.62  10−34  3  109
W = h0 = = = 1.825 eV
0 680  10−9
1242 12420
or W   1.8 eV or 0
1.8 eV
680(nm) 6800( A )

6
Physics Smart Booklet
4. Figure shows the plot of photoelectric current with the applied potential difference for two different intensities I1 and
I2 for light of frequencies 1 and 2 respectively such that 1 > 2 > 0 where
0 = threshold frequency. From the graph, it can be concluded that
(A) I1 > I2 because 1 > 2 > 0
(B) I1 < I2 because 1 < 2
(C) I1 = I2 because 1 and 2 are both greater than 0
(D) no comparison can be made from the graph since values of  are not defined
Ans (A)
The saturation current depends on the intensity of the radiation and not on  as long as  > 0. Since the saturation
current for the intensity I2 is less than that for I1, intensity I2 is less than intensity I1.

5. When a monochromatic point source of light is at a distance of 0.2 m from a photocell, the stopping potential (cut
off voltage) and the saturation current are found to be respectively 1 volt and 27 mA. If the same source is placed at
a distance 0.6 m from the cell then
(A) the stopping potential will be 0.25 V and current will be 27 mA
(B) the stopping potential will be 1 volt and the current will be 3 mA
(C) the stopping potential will be 1 volt and the current will be 9 mA
(D) the stopping potential and the current will be same as before.
Ans (B)
When the distance of the source is varied, only the intensity changes but the frequency remains constant. The
stopping potential depends on the frequency of the radiation.
1
Therefore it remains constant. Intensity  2
d
1
but current I  (Intensity)  Current  2
d
2
I 2  d1 
= 
I1  d 2 
2
 0.2  1
I2 =   I1 = 2  27  I 2 = 3 mA
 0.6  3

6. A photosensitive metal is first illuminated with the radiation of wavelength 400 nm and then with radiation of
wavelength 800 nm. The change in the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectron assuming that both wavelengths
can cause photoelectric emission is
(A) 0.55 eV (B) 1.55 eV (C) 2.0 eV (D) 1.0 eV
Ans (B)
E k1 − E k 2 = E1 − E 2
E1  1
Since  2 = 21 ,E 2 =  Ek  
2 
E E
 E k = E1 − 1 = 1
2 2
12420
Ek (in eV) 
 (Å)
12400 12400
E1   3.13eV E 2   1.55eV
4000Å 8000Å
 E1 − E2 = Ek  1.55 eV

7
Physics Smart Booklet
7. The slope of the graph of the maximum kinetic energy in joule of the photoelectrons versus the frequency difference
( − 0) in Hz will be
h e 1
(A) Planck’s constant h (B) (C) (D)
e h h
Ans (B)

BC E k1 − E k 2 E k
Slope = = or slope =
AB  2 − 1 
 Slope = h (Planck’s constant)

8. A and B are two metals with threshold frequencies 1.8  1014 Hz and 2.2  1014 Hz. Two identical photons of energy
0.825 eV each are incident on them. Then photoelectrons are emitted from
(A) A alone (B) B alone (C) from both A and B (D) from neither A nor B
Ans (A)
(0 )A = 1.8 1014 Hz, (0 )B = 2.2 1014 Hz
h 0 6.6  10−34
Work function (in eV) = 0 4  10−15  0
e 1.6  10−19
 WA = 4 10−15 1.8 1014 = 0.72 eV
WB = 4 10−15  2.2 1014 = 0.88 eV
Ek = Energy of photon = 0.825 eV.
Since Ek > 0.72 eV, photoelectric effect is possible in metal A only.

9. Light from a source is incident on two photocathodes of work function 3 eV and 1.5 eV respectively. The incident
light has an energy of 4.5 eV. Then the ratio of maximum velocities of electrons in the two cases are
v  1 v  1 v  1 v  1
(A)  1  = (B)  1  = (C)  1  = (D)  1  =
 v2 max 2  v2 max 2  v2 max 3  v2 max 3
Ans (B)
h = h0 + Ek ;  Ek = h − h0
1 2 1
mv1 = 4.5 − 3 = 1.5 eV ; mv22 = 4.5 − 3 = 1.5 eV = 3 eV
2 2
v12 1 v1 1
 2 =  =
v2 2 v2 2

10. The work functions of three metals A, B and C are WA, WB and WC respectively. They are in the decreasing order.
The correct graph between kinetic energy and frequency  of incident radiation is

(A) (B) (C) (D)

Ans (B)
h
Irrespective of the photo sensitive material used, the slope of each line should be same, since slope = .
e
Since, WA > WB > WC, ; (0)A > (0)B > (0)C
Thus, the correct order is C, B, A.
(A) indicates ( 0 ) A  ( 0 ) B  ( 0 )C
A is not possible. ; Options (C) and (D) are not possible since the graphs are not parallel.

8
Physics Smart Booklet

Dual Nature of Matter

Matter Waves (de Broglie Waves)
In order to explain the phenomena of reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, polarization, etc., light
has to be regarded as waves. But to account for other phenomena such as photoelectric effect,
Compton effect, Raman effect etc, light has to be regarded as particles called photons, which are
discrete packets of energy. Thus, light can behave as a wave and also as a particle. This is called dual
nature of light.
A material particle in motion exhibits wavelike characteristics and the associated wave is called a
matter wave or a de Broglie wave.
If m is the mass of a particle travelling with a speed v, the de Broglie wavelength  of the wave associated with the
h
particle, is given by  = . It is independent of charge (if any) on the particle.
mv
Expression for 
h h h
•  de Broglie = = = , Ek = kinetic energy of the particle
p mv 2mE k
h
•  de Broglie = , V = accelerating potential applied to the charged particle
2meV
150 12.27 1.23
•  electron Ǻ Ǻ~ nm (V = accelerating potential)
V V V
Uncertainty principle
It is not possible to measure both the position and momentum of an electron (or any other particle) at the same time
exactly. There is always some uncertainty (x) in the specification of position and some uncertainty (p) in the
specification of momentum, such that
h
x p  (where = , h = Planck 's constant)
2
Davisson and Germer experiment
Davisson and Germer’s experiment confirmed the existence of matter waves, by observing electron diffraction.
• Davisson and Germer observed diffraction effects with beams of electron scattered by crystals.
• The experiment was performed by varying the accelerating voltage from 44 V to 68 V. It was noticed that a strong peak
appeared in the intensity of the scattered electrons for an accelerating voltage of 54 V at a scattering angle  = 50
• The appearance of the peak in a particular direction is due to the constructive interference of waves associated with
electrons scattered from different layers of the regularly spaced atoms of the crystals.
h h
• The de Broglie wavelength  associated with an electron is  = =
p 2meV
1.23 1.23
= nm = nm = 0.167 nm
v 54
This is in good agreement with wavelength of electrons obtained by electron diffraction measurement.

Illustrations
1. The velocity of a body of mass 10 g is 2 104 ms−1 . The de Broglie wavelength associated with it will be
(A) 3.3  10−33 m (B) 3.3  10−34 m (C) 3.3  10−35 m (D) 3.3  10−36 m
Ans (D)
h 6.6  10−34
= = = 3.3  10−36 m.
mv 10  10−3  2 104

9
Physics Smart Booklet
2. If particles are moving with same velocity, then maximum de-Broglie wavelength is for
(A) proton (B)  - particle (C) neutron (D)  - particles
Ans (D)
h 1
= or   for a given value of v.
mv m
Among the given particles, mass of a  particle is least.
Since m for  particles is least, de Broglie for -particle is maximum.

3. The energy that should be supplied to an electron to reduce its de Broglie wavelength from 10−10 m to
0.5  10−10 m will be
(A) four times the initial energy (B) equal to the initial energy
(C) twice the initial energy (D) thrice the initial energy
Ans (D)
h 1 1
= or   or E k  2
2mE k Ek 
2 2
E 2  1   10−10 
 =  =  =4
E1   2   0.5  10−10 
or E 2 = 4E1
Energy to be supplied = 4E1 − E1 = 3E1
4. The de Broglie wavelength of a neutron when its kinetic energy Ek is . Its wavelength when its kinetic energy is 4 Ek
is
 
(A) 4 (B) 2 (C) (D)
2 4
Ans (C)
1
Kinetic energy, K = mv2 or mv = 2mK
2
h
 de Broglie wavelength,  = ;
2mK
1  K 1 
   = = or  =
K  4K 2 2
5. The wavelength corresponding to a beam of electrons whose kinetic energy is 100 eV is
(h = 6.6  10−34 J s; 1 eV = 1.6  10−19 J ; m e = 9.1  10−31 kg)
(A) 1.2 Å (B) 2.4 Å (C) 3.6 Å (D) 4.8 Å
Ans (A)
We know that kinetic energy,
p2
Ek = ;  p = 2mE k
2m
de Broglie wavelength,
h
= =
h 6.6  10−34
=
p 2mE k 2  9.1 10−31  100  1.6  10−19
i.e.,  = 1.22  10−10 m = 1.2 Å.

6. The de Broglie wavelength of a neutron at 927 C is . Its wavelength at 27 C is

 
(A) (B) (C) 4 (D) 2
2 4
Ans (D)

10
Physics Smart Booklet
h
We Know that,  = ;
3mkT
1 2 927 + 273
so    = = 2 or  2 = 21 .
T 1 27 + 273

7. The magnitude of the de-Broglie wavelength of electron (e), proton (p), neutron (n) and -particle () all having the
same energy of 1 MeV, in the ascending order is
(A) e, p, n,  (B) e, n, p,  (C) , n, p, e (D) p, e, , n
Ans (C)
h 1
=  
2mE m
m
Since   m p  m e ,     p  e

8. A proton and an -particle are accelerated through the same potential difference. The ratio of their de Broglie
wavelengths will be
(A) 1 : 1 (B) 1 : 2 (C) 2 : 1 (D) 2 2:1
Ans (D)
1
qV = mv2 or mv = 2qVm
2
h h
So  = =
mv 2qVm
1
i.e.  
qm
p q  m
so = = 2 4 = 2 2
 q p mp

9. The potential difference through which an electron should be accelerated, so that its de-Broglie wavelength is 0.05 nm
is
(A) 6022 V (B) 602.2 V (C) 60.22 V (D) 6.022 V
Ans (B)
h 1.23
= nm
2meV V
1.23  1.23  (10−9 )2 1.5
V= −9 2 600 V
(0.05)  (10 )
2
25 10−4

10. A particle of mass M at rest decays into two particles of masses m1 and m2, having non-zero velocities. The ratio of the

de Broglie wavelengths of the particle 1 is
2
m1 m2
(A) (B) (C) 1 (D) m 2 / m1
m2 m1
Ans (C)
Using law of conservation of momentum we have, 0 = m1v1 + m2v2
 h 
 
1  m1 v1 
 1 1
|m v | = |m v
1 2 |  = =1
2  h 
 
 m2 v2 

11
Physics Smart Booklet
11. A hydrogen atom is in an excited state. Its total energy is −3.4 eV
(A) The kinetic energy of the electron in the atom is 3.4 eV
(B) de Broglie wavelength associated with the electron in the atom is 6.63 Å
7h
(C) Angular momentum of the electron about the nucleus is .
22
(D) (A), (B) and (C)
Ans (D)
K 2 = −(−E) = 3.4eV Quick calculation
−13.6 eV
n2 = =4n =2 h 12.2
−3.4 eV  electron =
2meV V
−34
2 =
h 6.625  10
= electron =
12.2
Å 6Å
2mK 2 2  9.1 10−31  3.4  1.6  10−19 3.4
6.625 10−8 6.625 10−8 6.625  10−8
=  =  6.63 Å
3  8 17 3  32 96
nh 2h 7h
L2 = = =
2 2 22
12. If the uncertainty in the position of an electron is 10−10 m, then the uncertainty in its momentum
(in kg ms−1) measurement will be nearly
(A) 6.6  10−26 (B) 10−24 (C) 3.3  10−24 (D) 6.6  10−24
Ans (B)
By uncertainty principle,
h
x  p 
2
6.6  10−34 10−34
(10−10 )p  p  −10 = 10−24 kg ms−1
6.28 10

13. Consider the following statements

(i) A mechanical wave can travel in vacuum.
(ii) electromagnetic wave can travel through vacuum.
(iii) the velocity of a photon is not the same in different media
(iv) wavelength of a de Broglie wave depends upon the velocity of a moving particle
The wrong statement is
(A) (iv) (B) (iii) (C) (ii) (D) (i)
Ans (D)
For the propagation of a mechanical wave, a material medium is essential.
14. On the basis of uncertainty principle it can be shown that
(A) electrons may not exist in a nucleus
(B) electrons cannot exist in a nucleus
(C) an electron repels a proton within a nucleus
(D) the attraction between an electron and a proton is very small within a nucleus
Ans (B)
The uncertainty principle shows that if an electron is to be a constituent particle of a nucleus its energy should be of the
order of 20 MeV. But in -decay, maximum energy measured is about 1 MeV. Thus, an electron cannot exist in a
nucleus.
15. Two neutral particles of mass m and 2 m have equal kinetic energies. The ratio of their de-Broglie wavelengths is
(A) indeterminate (B) 1 : 2 (C) 1 : 2 (D) 2 : 1

12
Physics Smart Booklet
Ans (D)
h
=
mv
1 2 2K h
Kinetic energy K = mv  v = or  =
2 m 2mK
where K is the kinetic energy. Since the kinetic energy is same for both the particles,
1 1 m2 2m 2
  = = =
m  2 m1 m 1

16. The de-Broglie wavelength of the electron in the ground state of a hydrogen atom is
(A) 0.53 Å (B) 1.06 Å (C) 1.67 Å (D) 3.33 Å
Ans (D)
When the electron is in the ground state of a hydrogen atom, then it is in the first orbit whose radius
r = 0.53 Å. For first orbit, the circumference is equal to de-Broglie wavelength.
22
Therefore,  = 2r = 2   0.53Å = 3.33Å
7
17. The energy E of a photon is equal to the kinetic energy of a proton. Let 1 be the de-Broglie wavelength of the proton

and 2 be the wavelength of the photon. The ratio 1 is proportional to
2
1
(A) E (B) E 2 (C) E−1 (D) E−2
Ans (B)
1 1 m2 v2
• For a proton, E = mv 2 = or mv = 2mE
2 2 m
hc h
1 = =
mv 2mE
hc hc
• For a photon, E = hv2 = or  2 =
2 E
h

 1 = 2mE  E = E 2
1

2 hc / E E

18. An electron accelerated under a potential difference V has a certain wavelength . The mass of a proton is about 1840
times of the mass of an electron. If the proton should have the same wavelength , then it should be accelerated using
a potential difference of
V
(A) V (B) 1840 V (C) (D) V 1840
1840
Ans (C)
Given, p = e
h h  m  q e 
= or mpqpVp = meqeV or Vp =  e   
or V
2mp q p Vp 2me q e V
 mp  q p 
1 V
=  1 V = V
1840 1840

13
Physics Smart Booklet
Each of the following questions consists of a Statement−I and a Statement−II. Examine both of them and select one
of the options using the following codes:
(A) Statement-I and Statement-II are true and Statement-II is the correct explanation of Statement-I.
(B) Statement-I and Statement-II are true but Statement-II is not the correct explanation of
Statement -I.
(C) Statement-I is true, but Statement -II is false.
(D) Statement-I is false, but Statement -II is true.

19. Statement I: The working of an electron microscope is based on de Broglie’s hypothesis.

Statement II: A beam of electrons behaves as a wave which can be converged by using electric and magnetic fields.
Ans (A)
20. Statement I: The de Broglie wavelength of an electron accelerated through 961 V is around 0.4 Å.
Statement II: The concept of matter waves is charge independent.
Ans (B)
h 12.23 12.23
=   ele  Å = 0.4 Å
2meV V 961

14
Physics Smart Booklet

NCERT LINE BY LINE QUESTIONS

1. Work function depends on [NCERT Pg. 387]
(1) Metal only (2) Nature of surface only
(3) Both metal and nature of surface (4) Threshold frequency
2. Saturation photoelectric current [NCERT Pg. 391]
(1) Increase with increase in plate potential
(2) Increase with decrease in plate in plate potential
(3) Is independent of plate potential
(4) Increase with increase in frequency
3. Monochromatic light of frequency 6 X 1014 Hz is produced by a laser. The power emitted is
2 X 10–3W. The number photons emitted per second by source is [NCERT Pg. 396]
(1) 5.0 X 1015 (2) 5.0 X 1016 (3) 5.0 X 1017 (4) 5.0 X 1018
4. A particle is moving three times as fast as an electron. The ratio of de-Broglie wavelength of
particle to that of electron is 1.813 X 10–4. The particle may be [NCERT Pg. 402]
(1) Proton (2) Deutron (3) a-particle (4) Triton
5. An electron microscope uses electrons accelerated by a voltage of 50 kV. how does the resolving
power of this electron microscope compare with that of an optical microscope which uses yellow
light? [NCERT Pg. 411]
(1) 104 times (2) 105 times (3) 106 times (4) 103 times
6. A particle is dropped from a height H. The de-Broglie wavelength of the particle as a function
of height is proportional to [NCERT Pg. 400]
(1) H (2) H1/2 (3) H° (4) H–1/2
7. A proton and an a-particle are accelerated through the same potential difference. The ratio of
de-Broglie wavelength  p to that   is [NCERT Pg. 400]

(1) 2 :1 (2) 2 : 1 (3) 2 2 :1 (4) 1: 2

8. Which of the following statements is incorrect about the photons?
[NCERT Pg. 396]
(1) Momentum of photon is (2) Rest mass of photon is zero
(3) Photons exert no pressure (4) Energy of photon is frv
9. The wavelength of matter wave is independent of [NCERT Pg. 398]
(1) Mass (2) Velocity (3) Kinetic energy (4) Charge

15
Physics Smart Booklet
10. Which experiment best support the theory that matter has wave nature? [NCERT Pg. 403]
(1) Photoelectric effect (2)  -scattering experiment
(3) Davisson and Germer experiement (4) Compton effect
11. Which among the following phenomenon shows particle nature of light? [NCERT Pg. 395]
(1) Photoelectric effect (2) Interference
(3) Polarization (4) Matter waves
12. Which of the following device is some times called electric eye? [NCERT-Pg399]
(1) Light emitting diode (2) Photocell
(3) Electric generator (4) Integrated chip
13. For a certain metal, incident frequency v is five times of threshold frequency v o and maximum

speed of coming out photoelectrons is 8 X 106 m/s. If v = 2vo, the maximum speed of

photoelectrons will be [NCERT Pg. 395]

(1) 4 x 106 m/s (2) 6 x 106 m/s (3) 3 x 106 m/s (4) 1 x 106 m/s

14, An electron is moving with an initial velocity v = v 0 i enters in a uniform magnetic field B = B0 j

. Then its de-Broglie wavelength [NCERT Pg. 400]

(1) Increase with time (2) Decrease with time
(3) Remains constant (4) Increases and decreases periodically
15. For a wavelength of 400 nm, kinetic energy of emitted photoelectron is twice that for a
wavelength of 600 nm from a given metal. The work function of metal is [NCERT Pg. 395]
(1) 1.03 eV (2) 2 11 eV (3)4.14eV (4) 2.43 eV
16. The linear momentum of a 3 MeV photon is [NCERT Pg. 398)
(1) 0.01 eV s m–1 (2) 0.02 eV s m–1
(3) 0.03 eV s m–1 (4) 0.04 eV s m–1
17. A particle of mass 4m at rest decays into two particles of mass m and 3m. The ratio of de-
Broglie wavelength of two particles will be [NCERT Pg. 400)
1
(1) (2) 4 (3) 2 (4) 1
2
18. In a photon particle collision (such as photon electron collision). Which of the following may not
be conserved? (NCERT Pg. 396]
(1) Total energy (2) Number of photons
(3) Total momentum (4) None of above

16
Physics Smart Booklet
19. If the momentum of an electron is changed by P, then the de-Broglie wavelength associated with
it changes by 0.5%. The initial momentum of electron will be [NCERT Pg 400]
P
(1) 200P (2) 400P (3) (4) 100P
200
20. The phenomena of photoelectric effect was first explained by [NCERT Pg. 395]
(1) Albert Einstein (2) Heinrich Hertz
(3) Wilhelm Hallwachs (4) Philipp Lenard

NCERT BASED PRACTICE QUESTIONS

1. The Photoelectric current is directly proportional to
(a) Intensity of incident light (b) Frequency
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of these
2. The maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons depends upon
(a) Intensity of Incident light (b) Frequency
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of these
3. The momentum of a photon of energy I MeV in kg ms-1 will be
(a) 10-22 (b) 0.33 x 106 (c) 5 x 10-22 (d) 7 x 10-24
4. The emission of electrons is possible by
(a) Photoelectric effect (d) thermionic effect
(c) Both (a) & (b) (d) None of these
5. Which of the following has highest specific charge?
(a) Positron (b) Proton (c) Helium (d) None of these
6. The magnitude of saturation photoelectric current depends upon
(a) frequency (b) Intensity (c) Work function (d) Stopping potential
7. The thermions are
(a) photons (b) Positron (c) Proton (d) Electrons
8. The rest mass of photon is
(a) 1.76 x 10-35Kg (b) Zero (c) 9 x 10-31Kg (d) 1a.m.u
9. Energy of the photon cannot be represented by
(a) hv (b) hc  (c) hc/  (d) hcv
10. The momentum of a photon is p . the corresponding wavelength is

(a) h/p (b) hp (c) p/h (d) h / p

11. Velocity of photon is proportional to
1
(a)  (b)  (c) V (d) V2

17
Physics Smart Booklet
12. Monochromatic light of frequency 6.0 X 1014 Hz is produced by a laser. The
power emitted is 2.0 x 10-3 W. What is the energy of a photon the light beam?
(a) 398 x 10-19 J (b) 3.98 x 10-19 J (c) 3.8 x 10-19 J (d) None
13. The work function of cesium is 2.14 eV. Find the threshold frequency for cesium.
(a) 5.16 x 1014 Hz (b) 51.6 x 1014 Hz (c) 5.16 x 1010 Hz (d) None
14. What is the de Broglie wavelength associated with an electron moving with a
speed of 5.4 m/s ?
(a) 0.135 mm (b) 0.135 nm (c)135 mm (d) None
15. An electron, an particle, and a proton have the same kinetic energy. Which of
these particles has the shortest de Broglie wavelength?
(a) -particle (b) Both (c) proton (d) None
16. A particle is moving three times as fast as an electron. The ratio of the de
Broglie wavelength of the particle to that of the electron is 1.813. Calculate
the particle’s mass.
(a) 1.67510-27 kg (b) 1.67510-26 kg (c) 16.7510-27 kg (d) None
17. What is the de Broglie wavelength associated with an electron, accelerated through a
potential difference of 100 volts.
(a) 0.125nm (b) 0.123nm (c) 0.130nm (d) None
18. The work function of cesium metal is 2.14 eV. When light of frequency 6is
incident on the metal surface, photo emission of electrons occurs. What is the
maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electrons?
(a) 0.54 x 10-19 J (b) 54 x 10-19 J (c) 0.054 (d) 54.0 x10-19 J
19. The photoelectric cut - off voltage in a certain experiment is 1.5 V. What is the
maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons emitted?
(a) 2.4 x 10-19 J (b) 14 x 10-19 J (c) 3.4 x 10-19 J (d) None
20. The energy flux of sunlight reaching the surface of the earth is 1.388 How
many photons (nearly) per square meter are incident on the Earth per second?
Assume that the photons in the sunlight have an average wavelength of 550nm.
(a) 4 x 1021 photons/m2 s (b) 4 x1022 photons/m2 s
(c) 4 x 1023 photons/m2 s (d) 4 x 1027 photons/m2
21. In an experiment on photoelectric effect , the slope of the cut – off voltage versus
frequency of incident light is found to be 4.12 Vs. Calculate the value of planck’s
constant.
(a) 65.9 x 10-34 Js (b) 6.59 x 10-34 Js (c) 6.9 x 10-34 Js (d) None

18
Physics Smart Booklet
22. A 100W sodium lamp radiates energy uniformly in all directions. The lamp is located
at the centre of a large sphere that absorbs all the sodium light which is incident on
it. The wavelength of the sodium light is 589 nm.
What is the energy per photon associated with the sodium light?
(a) 3.38x10-19 J (b) 38x10-19 J (c) 3.38x10-34 J (d) None
23. The threshold frequency for a certain metal is 3.3 Hz. If light of frequency 8.2
is incident on the metal, predict the cut – off voltage for the photoelectric
emission.
(a) 20 V (b) 200 V (c) 2.0 V (d) None
24. The work function for a certain metal is 4.2 eV. Will this metal give photoelectric
emission for incident radiation of wavelength 330 nm?
(a) Yes (b) No (c) may or may not (d) None of these
25. Light of frequency 7.21 is incident on a metal surface. Electrons with a
maximum speed of 6.0 m/s are ejected from the surface. What is the
threshold frequency for photoemission of electrons?
(a) 4.73x1014 Hz (b) 47.3x1014 Hz (c) 47x1014 Hz (d) None
26. Light of wavelength 488 nm is produced by an argon laser which is used in the
photoelectric effect. When light from this spectral line is incident on the
emitter, the stopping (cut – off) potential of photoelectrons is 0.38 V. Find the
work function of the material from which the emitter is made.
(a) 3.46 x 10-19 J (b) 34.6 x 10-19 J (c) 346 x 10-19 J (d) None
27. Calculate the momentum of the electrons accelerated through a potential difference
of 56 V.
(a) 40x10-24 kg ms-1 (b) 4.04x10-24 kg ms-1
(c) 4x10-24 kg ms-1 (d) None
28 What is the momentum of an electron with kinetic energy of 120 eV.
(a) 5.92 x 10-24 kg ms-1 (b) 59.2 x 10-24 kg ms-1
(c) 5.92 x 10-28 kg ms-1 (d) None
29 What is the de Broglie wavelength of a bullet of mass 0.040 kg traveling at the
speed of 1.0 km/sec.
(a) 17 x 10-35 m (b) 1.7 x 10-35 m (c) 19 x 10-35 m (d) None
30. The wavelength of light form the spectral emission line of sodium is 589 nm,
Find the kinetic energy.
(a) 4.34 eV (b) 43.4 eV (c) 434 eV (d) None

19
Physics Smart Booklet
31. An electron of wavelength of 1.00 nm. Find the moment of electron.
(a) 6.63 kg m/s (b) .663 kg m/s (c) 66 kg m/s (d) None
32. For what kinetic energy of a neutron will the associated de Broglie wavelength be1.40
(a) 4.174 x 10-21eV (b) 4.174 x 10-2eV
(c) 4.174 x 10-34eV (d) None
33. What is the de Broglie wavelength of a nitrogen molecule in air at 300 K ?
Assume that the molecule is moving with the root – mean – square speed of
molecules at this temperature. (Atomic mass of nitrogen = 14.0076u)
(a) 28 nm (b) 0.28 nm (c) 0.028 nm (d) None
34 ,  and gamma rays carry some momentum, which has the longest wavelength
(a)  rays (b)  rays
(c) gamma rays (d) all have same wavelength
35 If electron, proton and helium have same momentum, then de – Broglie’s
wavelength decrease in order
(a)  e   p   He (b)  He   p   e

(c)  He   e   p (d)  e =  p =  He

36 Stopping potential required to reduce photoelectric current to zero

(a) Is directly proportional to the wavelength of incident radiation
(b) Is directly proportional to the frequency of the incident radiation
(c) Increases uniformly with wavelength of the incident radiation
(d) Decreases uniformly with the frequency of the incident radiation

TOPIC WISE PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Topic 1: Wave nature, Wavefront, Reflection and Refraction
1. Wave front is the locus of all points, where the particles of the medium vibrate with the same
(1) phase (2) amplitude (3) frequency (4) period
2. Light waves travel in vacuum along the y-axis. Which of the following may represent the wave-front?
(1) x = constant (2) y = constant (3) z = constant (4) x + y + z = constant
3. Find the minimum thickness of a film which will strongly reflect the light of wavelength 598 nm. The
refractive index of the material of the film is 1.25.
(1) 118 nm (2) 120 nm (3) 218 m (4) 225 mm
4. Spherical wave fronts, emanating from a point source, strike a plane reflecting surface. What will happen
to these wave fronts, immediately after reflection?
(1) They will remain spherical with the same curvature, both in magnitude and sign.
(2) They will become plane wave fronts.

20
Physics Smart Booklet
(3) They will remain spherical, with the same curvature, but sign of curvature reversed.
(4) They will remain spherical, but with different curvature, both in magnitude and sign.
5. Huygens concept of wavelets is useful in
(1) explaining polarisation (2) determining focal length of the lenses
(3) determining chromatic aberration (4) geometrical reconstruction of a wave front
6. According to Huygen’s construction, tangential envelope which touches all the secondary spheres is the
position of
(1) original wave front (2) secondary wave front
(3) geometrical wave front (4) extended wave front
7. Huygens concept of secondary wave
(1) allows us to find the focal length of a thick lens
(2) is a geometrical method to find a wave front
(3) is used to determine the velocity of light
(4) is used to explain polarisation
8. The wave fronts of a light wave travelling in vacuum are given by x + y + z = c. The angle made by the
direction of propagation of light with the X-axis is
(1) 0º (2) 45º (3) 90º (
(4) cos −1 1/ 3 )
9. Figure shows wave front P passing through two systems A and B and emerging as Q and then as R. The
system A and B could, respectively, be

(1) a prism and a convergent lens (2) a convergent lens and a prism
(3) a divergent lens and a prism (4) a convergent lens and a divergent lens

Topic 2: Interference of Light, Coherent and Incoherent Sources

10. The max. Intensity produced by two coherent sources of intensity I1 and I 2 will be
(1) I1 + I 2 (2) I12 + I 22
(3) I1 + I 2 + 2 I1I 2 (4) zero
11. Two sources of light are said to be coherent, when they give light waves of same
(1) amplitude and phase (2) wavelength and constant phase difference
(3) intensity and wavelength (4) phase and speed
12. To demonstrate the phenomenon of interference, we require two sources which emit radiation of
(1) nearly the same frequency
(2) the same frequency
(3) different wavelengths
(4) the same frequency and having a definite phase relationship
13. For the two parallel rays AB and DE shown here, BD is the wave front. For what value of wavelength of
rays destructive interference takes place between ray DE and reflected ray CD?

21
Physics Smart Booklet

(1) 3x (2) 2x (3) x (4) 2x

14. The ratio of intensities of two waves is 9 : 1. They are producing interference. The ratio of maximum and
minimum intensities will be
(1) 10 : 8 (2) 9 : 1 (3) 4 : 1 (4) 2 : 1
15. Interference was observed in interference chamber where air was present, now the chamber is evacuated,
and if the same light is used, a careful observer will see
(1) No interference (2) interference with brighter bands
(3) Interference with dark bands (4) interference fringe with larger width
16. White light falls normally on a film of soapy water whose thickness is 5 10−5 cm and refractive index is
1.40. The wavelengths in the visible region that are reflected the most strongly are:
(1) 5000 Å and 4000 Å (2) 5400 Å and 4000 Å
(3) 6000 Å and 5000 Å (4) 4500 Å only
17. Ratio of intensities of two waves are given by 4:1. Then the ratio of the amplitudes of the two waves is
(1) 2 : 1 (2) 1 : 2 (3) 4 : 1 (4) 1 : 4
18. Which one of the following statements is correct?
(1) Monochromatic light is never coherent.
(2) Monochromatic light is always coherent.
(3) Two independent monochromatic sources are coherent.
(4) Coherent light is always monochromatic.
19. The interfering fringes formed by a thin oil film on water are seen in yellow light of sodium lamp. We
find the fringes
(1) Coloured (2) black and white (3) yellow and black (4) coloured without yellow
20. Two coherent monochromatic light beams of intensities I and 4 I are superposed. The maximum and
minimum possible intensities in the resulting beam are
(1) 5I and I (2) 5 I and 3I (3) 9I and I (4) 9 I and 3I
21. The path difference between two interfering waves at a point on screen is 171.5 times the wavelength. If
the path difference is 0.01029 cm. Find the wavelength
(1) 6000 10 −10 cm (2) 6000 Å (3) 6000 10 −8 mm (4) None of these
22. When a thin transparent plate of thickness t and refractive index  is placed in the path of one of the two
interfering waves of light, then the path difference changes by

(1) (  + 1) t (2) (  − 1) t (3)

(  + 1) (4)
(  − 1)
t t
23. For observing interference in thin films with a light of wave length  the thickness of the film:
(1) may be of any magnitude (2) should be much smaller than 
(3) should be of the order of  (4) should be a few thousand times of 
24. In which of the following is the interference due to the division of wave front?
(1) Young's double slit experiment (2) Fresnel's biprism experiment

22
Physics Smart Booklet
(3) Lloyd's mirror experiment (4) Demonstration colours of thin film
25. Light from two coherent sources of the same amplitude A and wavelength  illuminates the screen. The
intensity of the central maximum is I 0 . If the sources were incoherent, the intensity at the same point will
be
(1) 4I 0 (2) 2I 0 (3) I 0 (4) I 0 / 2
26. A point p is situated 90.50 and 90.58 cm away from two coherent sources. The nature of illumination of
the point ‘p’ if the wavelength of light is 4000 Å, is
(1) bright (2) dark
(3) neither bright nor dark (4) none of these
27. In the adjacent diagram, CP represents a wave front and AO & BP, the corresponding two rays. Find the
condition on  for constructive interference at P between the ray BP and reflected ray OP

(1) cos = 3 / 2d (2) cos =  / 4d

(3) sec − cos =  / d (4) sec − cos = 4 / d
28. Sodium light (  = 6 10 m ) is used to produce interference pattern. The observed fringe width is 0.12
−7

mm. The angle between two interfering wave trains, is

(1) 110−3 rad (2) 110−2 rad (3) 5 10−3 rad (4) 5 10−2 rad
29. Two beams of light having intensities I and 4I interfere to produce a fringe pattern on a screen. The phase

difference between the beams is at point A and  at point B. Then the difference between the resulting
2
intensities at A and B is
(1) 2I (2) 4I (3) 5I (4) 7I

Topic 3: Young's Double Slit Experiment

30. Which of the following is not essential for two sources of light in Young’s double slit experiment to
produce a sustained interference?
(1) Equal wavelength (2) Equal intensity
(3) Constant phase relationship (4) Equal frequency
31. The fringe width in a Young’s double slit experiment can be increased if we decrease
(1) width of slits (2) separation of slits
(3) wavelength of light used (4) distance between slits and screen
32. Instead of using two slits, if we use two separate identical sodium lamps in Young’s experiment, which
of the following will occur?
(1) General illumination (2) Widely separate interference
(3) Very bright maxima (4) Very dark minima

23
Physics Smart Booklet
33. The maximum intensity of fringes in Young’s experiment is I. If one of the slit is closed, then the intensity
at that place becomes I 0 . Which of the following relation is true ?
(1) I = I 0 (2) I = 2 I 0
(3) I = 4 I 0 (4) there is no relation between I and I 0
34. When we close one slit in the Young’s double slit experiment, then
(1) the bandwidth is increased (2) the bandwidth is decreased
(3) the bandwidth remains unchanged (4) the diffraction pattern is observed
35. S is the size of the slit, d is the separation between the slits and D is the distance where Young’s double
slit interference pattern is being observed. If l be the wavelength of light, then for sharp fringes, the
essential condition is:
S  D 
(1)  (2)  (3) S  dD (4) SD  d
D d S d
36. In a YDSE bi-chromatic light of wavelengths 400 nm and 560 nm are used. The distance between the slits
is 0.1 mm and the distance between the plane of the slits and the screen is 1m. The minimum distance
between two successive regions of complete darkness is
(1) 4 mm (2) 5.6 mm (3) 14 mm (4) 28 mm
37. In a Young’s double slit experiment, the separation of the two slits is doubled. To keep the same spacing
of fringes, the distance D of the screen from the slits should be made
D D
(1) (2) (3) 2D (4) 4D
2 2
38. In YDSE, how many maxima’s can be obtained on a screen including central maxima in both sides of the
0 0
central fringe if  = 3000 A, d = 5000 A
(1) 2 (2) 5 (3) 3 (4) 1
39. Consider the YDSE arrangement shown in figure. If d = 10 then position of 8th maxima is

D D 4 4D
(1) y = (2) y = (3) y = D (4) y =
10 3 5 3
40. In a Young's double-slit experiment the fringe width is 0.2 mm. If the wavelength of light used is increased
by 10% and the separation between the slits is also increased by 10%, the fringe width will be
(1) 0.20 mm (2) 0.401 mm (3) 0.242 mm (4) 0.165 mm
41. In Young’s double slit expt. the distance between two sources is 0.1 mm. The distance of the screen from
the source is 20 cm. Wavelength of light used is 5460 Å. The angular position of the first dark fringe is
(1) 0.08º (2) 0.16º (3) 0.20º (4) 0.32º
42. In Young's double slit experiment,  = 500nm, d = 1mm, D = 1m. Minimum distance from the central
maximum for which intensity is half of the maximum intensity is
(1) 2.5  10 −4 m (2) 1.25 10−4 m (3) 0.625 10 −4 m (4) 0.3125 10 −4 m

24
Physics Smart Booklet
43. If the intensities of the two interfering beams in Young’s double-slit experiment are I1 and I2, then the
contrast between the maximum and minimum intensities is good when
(1) I1 and I 2 is large (2) I1 and I 2 is small
(3) either I1 or I 2 is zero (4) I1 = I 2
44. A Young’s double slit experiment uses a monochromatic source. The shape of the interference fringes
formed on a screen is
(1) circle (2) hyperbola (3) parabola (4) straight line
45. In Young’s experiment, two coherent sources are placed 0.90 mm apart and fringe are observed one metre
away. If it produces second dark fringe at a distance of 1 mm from central fringe, the wavelength of
monochromatic light used would be
(1) 60  10−4 cm (2) 10  10−4 cm (3) 10  10−5 cm (4) 6 10−5 cm
46. In the figure shown in a YDSE, a parallel beam of light is incident on the slits from a medium of refractive
index n1 . The wavelength of light in this medium is 1 . A transparent slab of thickness t and refractive
index is put in front of one slit. The medium between the screen and the plane of the slits is n2 . The phase
difference between the light waves reaching point O (symmetrical, relative to the slit) is

2 2 2 n1  n3  2 n1
(1) ( n3 − n2 ) t (2) ( n3 − n2 ) t (3)  − 1 t (4) ( n3 − n2 ) t
n11 1 n21  n2  1
47. Distance between screen and source is decreased by 25%. Then the percentage change in fringe width is
(1) 20% (2) 31% (3) 75% (4) 25%
48. In Young¢s double slit experiment intensity at a point is (1/4) of the maximum intensity. Angular position
of this point is (separation between slits is d)
(1) sin −1 (  / d ) (2) sin −1 (  / 2d ) (3) sin −1 (  / 3d ) (4) sin −1 (  / 4d )
49. In Young’s double slit experiment, the slits are 3 mm apart. The wavelength of light used is 5000 Å and
the distance between the slits and the screen is 90 cm. The fringe width in mm is
(1) 1.5 (2) 0.015 (3) 2.0 (4) 0.15
50. In Young's experiment intensity at a point on the screen is 75% of the maximum value. Minimum phase
difference between the waves arriving at this point from the two slits will be
(1) 30° (2) 45° (3) 60° (4) 135°
Topic 4: Diffraction and Polarization of Light
51. If the width of the slit in single slit diffraction experiment is doubled, then the central maximum of
diffraction pattern becomes
(1) broader and brighter (2) sharper and brighter
(3) sharper and fainter (4) broader and fainter.
52. When monochromatic light is replaced by white light in Fresnel’s biprism arrangement, the central fringe
is
(1) coloured (2) white (3) dark (4) None of these

25
Physics Smart Booklet
53. The first diffraction minima due to a single slit diffraction at  = 300 for a light of wavelength 5000Å.
The width of the slit is
(1) 5 10−5 cm (2) 10  10−5 cm (3) 2.5 10−5 cm (4) 1.25  105 cm
54. A beam of light is incident on a glass slab (  = 1.54 ) in a direction as shown in the figure. The reflected
light is analysed by a polaroid prism. On rotating the polaroid, (tan 57° = 1.54)
(1) the intensity remains unchanged
(2) the intensity is reduced to zero and remains at zero
(3) the intensity gradually reduces to zero and then again increase
(4) the intensity increases continuously
55. Unpolarised light of intensity 32 W m–2 passes through three polarizers such that the transmission axis
of the last polarizer is crossed with that of the first. The intensity of final emerging light is 3 W m–2. The
intensity of light transmitted by first polarizer will be
(1) 32Wm −2 (2) 16Wm −2 (3) 8Wm −2 (4) 4Wm −2
56. Optically active substances are those substances which
(1) produces polarised light
(2) produces double refraction
(3) rotate the plane of polarisation of polarised light
(4) converts a plane polarised light into circularly polarised light.
57. When an unpolarised light of intensity I 0 is incident on a polarizing sheet, the intensity of the light which
does not get transmitted is
1 1
(1) I 0 (2) I 0 (3) I 0 (4) Zero
4 2
58. A beam of light of  = 600nm from a distant source falls on a single slit 1 mm wide and the resulting
diffraction pattern is observed on a screen 2 m away. The distance between first dark fringe on either side
of the central bright fringe is:
(1) 1.2 cm (2) 1.2 mm (3) 2.4 cm (4) 2.4 mm
59. Abeam of unpolarised light of intensity I 0 is passed through a polaroid A and then through another
polaroid B which is oriented so that its principal plane makes an angle of 45° relative to that of A. The
intensity of the emergent light is
(1) I 0 (2) I 0 / 2 (3) I 0 / 4 (4) I 0 / 8
60. Unpolarised light is incident on a dielectric of refractive index 3 . What is the angle of incidence if the
reflected beam is completely polarised?
(1) 30° (2) 45° (3) 60° (4) 75°
61. A parallel beam of light of wavelength  is incident normally on a narrow slit. A diffraction pattern is
formed on a screen placed perpendicular to the direction of the incident beam. At the second minimum of
the diffraction pattern, the phase difference between the rays coming from the two edges of slit is
(1)  (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 4
62. A single slit Fraunhofer diffraction pattern is formed with white light. For what wavelength of light the
third secondary maximum in the diffraction pattern coincides with the second secondary maximum in the
pattern for red light of wavelength 6500 Å?
(1) 4400 Å (2) 4100 Å (3) 4642.8 Å (4) 9100 Å

63. Two polaroid’s are placed in the path of unpolarised beam of intensity I 0 such that no light is emitted
from the second polaroid. If a third polaroid whose polarization axis makes an angle  with the

26
Physics Smart Booklet
polarization axis of first polaroid, is placed between these polaroid’s then the intensity of light emerging
from the last polaroid will be
I  I  I 
(1)  0  sin 2 2 (2)  0  sin 2 2 (3)  0  cos 4  (4) I 0 cos 4 
8 4 2
64. The Fraunhofer ‘diffraction’ pattern of a single slit is formed in the focal plane of a lens of focal length 1
m. The width of slit is 0.3 mm. If third minimum is formed at a distance of 5 mm from central maximum,
then wavelength of light will be
(1) 5000 Å (2) 2500 Å (3) 7500 Å (4) 8500 Å
65. Unpolarised light is incident on a plane sheet on water surface. The angle of incidence for which the
 4
reflected and refracted rays are perpendicular to each other is   of water = 
 3
4 3 4 1
(1) sin −1   (2) tan −1   (3) tan −1   (4) sin −1  
3 4 3 3

NEET PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS

1. Unpolarised light is incident from air on a plane surface of a material of refractive index 'm'. At a
particular angle of incidence 'i', it is found that the reflected and refracted rays are perpendicular to each
other. Which of the following options is correct for this situation? [2018]
(1) Reflected light is polarised with its electric vector parallel to the plane of incidence
(2) Reflected light is polarised with its electric vector perpendicular to the plane of incidence
1 1
(3) i = tan −1   (4) i = sin −1  
 
2. In Young's double slit experiment the separation d between the slits is 2 mm, the wavelength  of the
light used is 5896 Å and distance D between the screen and slits is100 cm. It is found that the angular
width of the fringes is 0.20°. To increase the fringe angular width to 0.21° (with same  and D) the
separation between the slits needs to be changed to [2018]
(1) 1.8 mm (2) 1.9 mm (3) 1.7 mm (4) 2.1 mm
3. The ratio of resolving powers of an optical microscope for two wavelengths 1 = 4000 A0 and

1 = 6000A0 is [2017]

(1) 9 : 4 (2) 3 : 2 (3) 16 : 81 (4) 8 : 27

4. Two Polaroids P1 and P2 are placed with their axis perpendicular to each other. Unpolarised light I0 is
incident on P1. A third polaroid P3 is kept in between P1 and P2 such that its axis makes an angle 45°
with that of P1 . The intensity of transmitted light through P2 is [2017]
I0 I0 I0 I0
(1) (2) (3) (4)
4 8 16 2

27
Physics Smart Booklet
5. Young's double slit experiment is first performed in air and then in a medium other than air. It is found
that 8th bright fringe in the medium lies where 5th dark fringe lies in air. The refractive index of the
medium is nearly [2017]
(1) 1.59 (2) 1.69 (3) 1.78 (4) 1.25
6. In a diffraction pattern due to a single slit of width 'a', the first minimum is observed at an angle 30° when
light of wavelength 5000 Å is incident on the slit. The fir1st secondary maximum is observed at an angle
of : [2016]
1 2 1 3
(1) sin −1   (2) sin −1   (3) sin −1   (4) sin −1  
4 3 2 4
7. The intensity at the maximum in a Young's double slit experiment is I 0 . Distance between two slits is

d = 5 , where  is the wavelength of light used in the experiment. What will be the intensity in front of
one of the slits on the screen placed at a distance D = 10 d? [2016]
I0 3 I0
(1) I 0 (2) (3) I0 (4)
4 4 2
8. In a double slit experiment, the two slits are 1 mm apart and the screen is placed 1 m away. A
monochromatic light wavelength 500 nm is used. What will be the width of each slit for obtaining ten
maxima of double slit within the central maxima of single slit pattern? [2015]
(1) 0.1 mm (2) 0.5 mm (3) 0.02 mm (4) 0.2 mm
9. For a parallel beam of monochromatic light of wavelength 'l', diffraction is produced by a single slit whose
width 'a' is of the wavelength of the light. If 'D' is the distance of the screen from the slit, the width of the
central maxima will be: [2015]
D Da 2Da 2D
(1) (2) (3) (4)
a   a
10. In the Young’s double-slit experiment, the intensity of light at a point on the screen where the path
difference is  is K, (  being the wave length of light used). The intensity at a point where the path
difference is  / 4 , will be: [2014]
(1) K (2) K/4 (3) K/2 (4) Zero
11. A beam of light of  = 600nm from a distant source falls on a single slit 1 mm wide and the resulting
diffraction pattern is observed on a screen 2 m away. The distance between first dark fringes on either
side of the central bright fringe is: [2014]
(1) 1.2 cm (2) 1.2 mm (3) 2.4 cm (4) 2.4 mm
12. In a double slit experiment, when light of wavelength 400 nm was used, the angular width of the first
minima formed on a screen placed 1m away, was found to be 0.2°. What will be the angular width of the
first minima, if the entire experimental apparatus is immersed in water ( water = 4/3) [NEET – 2019]
(1) 0.266° (2) 0.15° (3) 0.05° (4) 0.1°

28
Physics Smart Booklet
13. In a Young's double slit experiment if there is no initial phase difference between the light from the two
slits, a point on the screen corresponding to the fifth minimum has path difference.
[NEET – 2019 (ODISSA)]
   
(1) 5 (2) 10 (3) 9 (4) 11
2 2 2 2
14. Angular width of the central maxima in the Fraunhofer diffraction for  = 6000 Å is 0 . When the same

slit is illuminated by another monochromatic light, the angular width decreases by 30%. The wavelength
of this light is, [NEET – 2019 (ODISSA)]
(1) 1800 Å (2) 4200 Å (3) 6000 Å (4) 420 Å
15. Two coherent sources of light interfere and produce fringe pattern on a screen. For central maximum,
the phase difference between the two waves will be [NEET – 2020 (Covid-19)]
(1) zero (2)  (3) 3  /2 (4)  /2
16. In Young’s double slit experiment, if the separation between coherent sources is halved and the distance
of the screen from the coherent sources is doubled, then the fringe width becomes: [NEET – 2020]
1) One-fourth 2) double 3) Half 4) Four times
17. Assume that light of wavelength 600nm is coming from a star. The limit of resolution of telescope
whose objective has a diameter of 2m is [NEET – 2020]
−7 −7 −7 −7
1) 6.00 10 rad 2) 3.66 10 rad 3) 1.83 10 rad 4) 7.32 10 rad
18. The Brewster’s angle ib for an interface should be: [NEET – 2020]
1) i b = 90 0
2) 0  i b  30
0 0
3) 30  i b  45
0 0
4) 45  i b  90
0 0

19. To graph which shows the variation of the de Broglie wavelength (  ) of a particle and its associated
momentum ( p ) is [NEET–2022]

1) 2) 3) 4)
20. Let Tl and T2 be the energy of an electron in the first and second excited states of hydrogen atom, respectively.
According to the Bohr's model of an atom, the ratio Tl:T2 is [NEET – 2022]
1) 1 : 4 2) 4 : 1 3) 4 : 9 4) 9 : 4

21. When two monochromatic lights of frequency, and are incident on a photoelectric metal, their
2
V
stopping potential becomes S and V respectively. The threshold frequency for this metal is:
2 S
[NEET – 2022]
2 3
(1) 2 (2) 3 (3) (4)
3 2

29
Physics Smart Booklet
NCERT LINE BY LINE QUESTIONS – ANSWERS
1) c 2) c 3) a 4) a 5) b 6) d 7) c 8) c 9)d 10) c
11)a 12) b 13) a 14) c 15) a 6) a 17) d 18) b 19) a 20) a

NCERT BASED PRACTICE QUESTIONS – ANSWERS

1)a 2) b 3) c 4) c 5) a 6) b 7) d 8) b 9) c 10) a
11)b 12) b 13) a 14) b 15) a 16) a 17) b 18) a 19) a 20) a
21)b 22) a 23) c 24) b 25) a 26) a 27) b 28) a 29) b 30) a
31)a 32) b 33) c 34) d 35) d 36) b

TOPIC WISE PRACTICE QUESTIONS - ANSWERS

1) 1 2) 2 3) 1 4) 3 5) 4 6) 2 7) 2 8) 4 9) 2 10) 3
11) 2 12) 4 13) 1 14) 3 15) 4 16) 1 17) 1 18) 4 19) 1 20) 3
21) 2 22) 2 23) 2 24) 2 25) 4 26) 1 27) 2 28) 3 29) 2 30) 2
31) 2 32) 1 33) 3 34) 4 35) 4 36) 4 37) 3 38) 3 39) 4 40) 1
41) 2 42) 2 43) 4 44) 4 45) 4 46) 4 47) 4 48) 3 49) 4 50) 3
51) 2 52) 2 53) 2 54) 3 55) 2 56) 3 57) 2 58) 4 59) 3 60) 3
61) 4 62) 3 63) 1 64) 1 65) 3

NEET PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS-ANSWERS

1) 2 2) 2 3) 2 4) 2 5) 3 6) 4 7) 4 8) 4 9) 4 10) 3
11) 4 12) 2 13) 3 14) 2 15) 1 16) 4 17) 2 18) 4 19) 4 20) 4
21) 4

TOPIC WISE PRACTICE QUESTIONS - SOLUTIONS

1. (1) Wavefront is the locus of all points, where the particles of the medium vibrate with the same phase.
2. (2) If a plane wave of light travelling along the y-direction electric field may be along any direction in x-z
plane
(i.e. y = c), hence wavefront may be represented by y = c.
3. (1) For strong reflection, the least optical path difference introduced by the film should by  /2. The optical
path difference between the waves reflected from the two surfaces of the film is 2  d.
Thus, for strong reflection, 2  d =  /2.
 589
d= = = 118 nm
4 4 1.25
4. (3) They will remain spherical, with the same curvature, but sign of curvature reversed
5. (4) geometrical reconstruction of a wavefront
6. (2) secondary wavefront
7. (2) Huygens principle gives us a geometrical method of tracing a wavefront.

30
Physics Smart Booklet
8. (4) The given equation of the wavefronts represent a plane that intersects each of the axes at a distance c
from the origin. Let these points be named A, B and C. ABC is an equilateral triangle of side c.

The direction of propagation of light will be normal to the plane. In this case, the normal makes equal angles
with each of the axes say α. Since the sum of the squares of the direction cosines equals one, here for the
normal cos²α+cos²α+cos²α = 1
→ 3 cos²α = 1
→ cos²α = 1/3
→ cos α = 1/√3
→ α = cos⁻¹ (1/√3)
9. (2) P to Q: convergence increasing; Q to R : direction changing.
10. (3) As R2 = a2 + b2 + 2 ab cos 
 Imax = I1 + I2 + 2 I1I2 cos 00
= I1 + I2 + 2 I1I 2
11. (2) For coherent sources  is same and phase is also same or phase diff. is constant.
12. (4) the same frequency and having a definite phase relationship
13. (1) Path difference,

( 3 + 1) = 16 = 4
2
I a2 9 a 3 I
14. (3) 1 = 12 = or 1 =  max =
I a2 1 a2 1 I min ( 3 − 1)2 4 1
15. (4) As the chamber is evacuated the wavelength of the light increases slightly. Thus as the fringe width is directly
proportional to wavelength the fringe width increases.
16. (1) For normal incidence,

2t cos 00 = ( 2n − 1)
2
4t 4 1.5  5 10−5
or  = =
( 2n − 1) ( 2n − 1)
For n = 3, 4,  = 5000 Å and 4000 Å
I1 a12 4 a 2
17. (1) = 2 =  1 =
I2 a 2 1 a2 1
18. (4) Coherent light is always monochromatic.
19. (1) Bright fringes are yellow and dark fringes are black.

31
Physics Smart Booklet
20. (3) Imax = I + 4I + 2 I  4I = 9I,
and Imin = I + 4I − 2 I  4I = I
343
21. (2) Path difference = 171.5  = 
2
= odd multiple of half wavelength.
It means dark fringe is observed.
343
According to question, 0.01029 = 
2
0.01029  2 0
= = 6  10−5 cm   = 6000 A
343
22. (2) Thickness of air film = t
Optical Path = μt
Path Difference = μt−t=(μ−1)t
23. (2) should be much smaller than 
24. (2) Fresnel’s experiment deals with two coherent sources of equal amplitude. Lloyd’s mirror experiment
deals with reflection of light from a monochromatic slit source, and intends to prove wave nature of light.
While in a thin film, the white light on both upper and lower surfaces split into various colors and
interfere with each other. Young’s Double slit experiment, deals with interference patterns caused due to
division of wave fronts of two monochromatic lights
25. (4) For two coherent sources, I1 = I2
This is given as I0 for maximum and zero for minimum. If there are two noncoherent sources, there will be
no maximum and minimum intensities. Instead of all the intensity I0 at maximum and zero for minimum, it
will be just I0/2.
26. (1) Bright
27. (2) PO = d sec  and CO = PO cos 2  = d sec  cos 2 
Path difference,
 x = CO + PO = (d sec  + d sec  cos 2  )
Effective path difference

x eff = d ( sec  + sec .cos 2 ) +
2
For constructive interference, x eff = 
 
or d ( sec  + sec  cos 2 ) +
=  or cos  =
2 4d
D
28. (3) The fringe width is given by,  =
d
The angular width of fringe is given by
d  6 10−7
= = = 5 10−3 rad
D  0.12 10−3
29. (2) IA = I + 4I + 2 I + 4I cos  / 2 = 5I
and IB = I + 4I + 2 I  4I cos  = I
So, IA − IB = 5I − I = 4I
30. (2) Wavelength/frequency must be same and phase difference must be constant for producing sustained
interference.

32
Physics Smart Booklet
D
31. (2)  =
d
 increases on decreasing d, separation of slits.
32. (1) There will be general illumination as super imposing waves do not have constant phase difference.
33. (3) If a is the amplitude of wave, then
34. (4) Young’s double slit experiment no longer remains it becomes fraunhoffer’s Diffraction from single slit.
35. (4) SD  d
36. (4) For dark fringes of both waves at same place
or (n +1)  400 = n  560
or n =2.5, and n + 1 = 3.5
There integer value is 5 and 7.
The distance between two regions of complete dark,
D 7 1 400 10−9
x = 7 = = 28 mm
d 0.110−3
D D | 
37. (3)  = | or =  D| = 2D
d ( )
2d
0 0
38. (3) x max = d = 5000 A. Given  = 5000 A.
As   d  2 , n = 3
39. (4) For maxima dsin  = n
n 8 4 4
sin  = =  sin  =  tan  =
d 10 5 3
y 4D
Also tan  = y =
D 3
D D 1.1 D
40. (1)  = and | = = =  = 0.2 mm
d 1.1d d
41. (2) The position of nth dark fringe. So position of first dark fringe in x1 =  D/ 2d
d = 20 cm, D = 0.1mm,  = 5460 Å, x1 = 0.16°
42. (2) Let x be the minimum distance and I0 be the intensity of central maximum then,
I0  x 
= I0 cos 2  
2   
x  D 5 10−7 1
= →x= = = 1.25 10−4 m
 4 4d 4 10−3
43. (4) Order of the fringe can be counted on either side of the central maximum. For example, no. 3 is first
order bright fringe.
44. (4) Young's double slit experiment proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that light is a wave. The
superposition of light from two slits produces an interference pattern.
45. (4) The shape of interference fringes formed on a screen in case of a monochromatic source is a straight
line. Remember for double hole experiment a hyperbola is generated.
46. (4) Optical path difference
x = ( 1 − 2 ) t
47. (4) x  D
1
 If d becomes thrice, then X becomes times.
3

33
Physics Smart Booklet
48. (3)
D 5000 10−10  0.9
49. (4)  = = m = 1.5 10−4 m = 0.15mm
d 3 10−3
3   3
50. (3) I0 = I0 cos 2  cos =
4 2 2 2

= 300   = 600
2
2 D
51. (2) Width of central maximum in diffraction pattern due to single slit =
d
where  is the wavelength, D is the distance between screen and slit and a is the slit width.
As the slit width a increases, width of central maximum becomes sharper or narrower. As same
energy is distributed over a smaller area. Therefore central maximum becomes brighter.
52. (2) At the centre, all colours meet in phase, hence central fringe is white.
53. (2) d sin 30° = 1 × 5 × 10–7m
d = 10–6m = 10–4cm = 10 × 10–5 cm.
54. (3) Here Angle of incidence, i = 57
tan 57° = 1.54
uglass = tan i
It means, Here Breswster’s law is followed and the reflected ray is completely polarised.
Now, when reflected ray is analysed through a polaroid then intensity of light is given by malus law.
i.e. I = I0 cos2  , on rotating polaroid ‘  ’ changes.
Due to which intensity first decreases and then increases.
55. (2) Intensity of polarised light transmitted from 1st polariser,
I1 = I0 cos2 
1 1 32
but (cos2  )av = So, I1 = I0 = = 16 Wm −2
2 2 2
56. (3) Such substances rotate the plane of polarised light.
57. (2) I = I0 cos 2 
I0
Intensity of polarized light =
2
I0 I0
 Intensity of untransmitted light = I0 − =
2 2
58. (4) Given: D = 2m; d = 1 mm = 1 × 10– 3 m
 = 600 nm = 600 × 10– 6 m
Width of central bright fringe (= 2  )
2D 2  600 10−6  2
= = m = 2.4 mm
d 110−3
59. (3)

Relation between intensities

34
Physics Smart Booklet
I 
I R =  0  cos 2 ( 450 ) = 0  = 0
I 1 I
2 2 2 4
60. (3)  = tan i  i = tan −1 (  ) = tan −1 ( 3 ) = 60 0

61. (4) Conditions for diffraction minima are

Path diff. x = n and Phase diff.  = 2n
Path diff. = n = 2
Phase diff. = 2n = 4 ( n = 2 )

62. (3) x =
( 2n + 1) D
2a

For red light, x =

( 4 + 1) D  6500 A0
2a

For other light, x =

( 6 + 1) D   A0
2a
x is same for each
5 0
 5  6500 = 7     =  6500 = 4642.8 A
7
 I  
63. (1) I =  0  cos 2  cos 2 ( 900 −  )
 2  
I I
= 0 cos 2  sin 2  = 0 sin 2 2
2 8
ax
64. (1) a sin  = n  = 3
f
(since  is very small so sin   tan    = x / f )
ax 0.3 10−3  5 10−3
= =
3f 3 1
0
= 5 10−7 m = 5000 A
4
65. (3) Given, refractive index,  =
3
According to Brewster’s law when unpolarised light strikes at polarising angle ip on an interface then
4
reflected and refracted rays are normal to each other and is given by : i p =   i p = tan −1  
3
NEET PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS-EXPLANATIONS
1. (2) When reflected light rays and refracted rays are perpendicular, reflected light is polarised with electric
field vector perpendicular to the plane of incidence.

35
Physics Smart Booklet
Also, tan i =  (i = Brewester angle)

2. (2) Angular width =
d

So, 0.200 =   = 0.200  2
2mm

Again, 0.21° =
d
Now putting the value of 
0.200  2mm
d= ;  d = 1.9 nm
0.210
2 sin 
3. (2) Resolving power of a microscope =

0
1 R  R 6000 A 3
i.e., R  or 1 = 2  1 = =
 R 2 1 R 2 4000 A0
2

4. (2) According to malus law, I = I0 cos 2 

I0 I I 1 I
I1 = , I 2 = 0 cos 2 450 ; = 0  = 0
2 2 2 2 4
I I
I3 = 0 cos 2 450  I3 = 0
4 8
5. (3) According to question
8th bright fringe in medium = 5th dark firing in air
D
Y8th bright = 8
d
D 9 D
Y5th dark = ( 2  5 − 1) =
2d 2 d
9 D D 16
 =8 or, refractive index  = = 1.78
2 d d 9
6. (4) For the first minima,
n  1
=  sin 300 = =
a a 2
First secondary maxima will be at
3 3  1  3
sin  = =     = sin −1  
2a 2  2  4
7. (4)

36
Physics Smart Booklet
8. (4) Here, distance between two slits, d = 1mm = 10–3m
distance of screen from slits, D = 1 m
wavelength of monochromatic light used,  = 500nm = 500 × 10–9m
width of each slit a =?
2 D
Width of central maxima in single slit pattern =
a
D
Fringe width in double slit experiment  =
d
10D 2D
So, required condition =
d a
d 1
a = = 10−3 m = 0.2 mm
5D 5
9. (4) Linear width of central maxima y
2D 
= D ( 2q ) = 2Dq = q =
a a

10. (3) For path difference  , phase difference = 2 rad.

 
For path difference , phase difference = rad.
4 2

As K = 4I0 so intensity at given point where path difference is
4
     K
K| = 4I0 cos 2   cos = cos 450  = 2I 0 =
 4  4  2
–3
11. (4) Given: D = 2m; d = 1 mm = 1 × 10 m
 = 600 nm = 600 × 10– 6 m
Width of central bright fringe (= 2  )
2 2  600 10−6  2
= = m
d 110−3
= 2.4 × 10– 3 m = 2.4 mm
12.


13. Path difference for nth minima = ( 2n − 1)
2
9
For fifth minima ( n = 5 ) =
2

37
Physics Smart Booklet

14. Angular width 
d
0
6000 A
0 d
0
 =   = 4200 A
0.70 
d
15. For central maximum, the phase difference between the two waves will be zero.
D  2D
16. = ; '=
d d
2
 ' = 4
Fringe with becomes 4 times
1.22 1.22  6 10−7
17.  = = = 3.66 10−7 rad
d 2

18. tan i p = D
R
D
D  R   1  tan iP  1  iP  450
R
 450  iP  900
1
19.   Rectangular hyperbola
p
13.6 1
20. T= 2
T  2
n n
 here n1 = 2, n2 = 3
T1 9
=
T2 4
21. V0e = h − w0
v
e = h − 0 …..(1)
2
h
ve = − 0 …..(2)
2
Solving above two equations and substituting 0 = h 0 we get
3h h 0
=
4 2
3
0 = 
2

38