Chapter 10

WAVE OPTICS
 Who proposed wave theory of light - Christian Hygens
 What is wave theory - A luminous body is a source of disturbance and the distarbance is
propagated in the form of wave and energy in disributed in all directons
 Difference between wave front and Ray -
Wave front is a surface in which particles of the medium vibrate in the same Phase (same
amplitude) and are displaced at the same time
Any line Perpendicular to the wave front is a ray along which energy Propagates.

What are Different wave fronts

I Plane wave front - The surface perpendicular to the parallel Rays.
Produced by a far distant source.
II Spherical wave fronts - Produced by point source.
a) Converging wave fronts. The surfaces
perpendicular to the converging rays

b) Diverging wave fronts -

The surface perpendicular
to the divering rays.
 Write Hygens Principle of wave front
1) Light is propagated in to the form of wave
2) Each portion of a wave front move perpendicular to it self and at the speed of light.
3) In a medium set of straight lines which are perpendicular to the wave fronts are called rays
of light along which energy propagates.
4) Every point on a wave front can be regarded as the origin of secondary wave front
 How to construct a wave front if the position of earlier wave front is known.
Consider a number of points on the given wave front, Draw number of spheres of radius ct, with
these points as centres. Draw envelop to all these spheres. The envelop will give wave front after the
time t. (c- velocity of light)

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 new wave
Plane wave
front
front

spherical
new wave wavefront
front
given wave front given
wavefront
 Explain Law of Reflection on the basis of wave theory
F - Incidenting wave front
F' - Reflected wave front P F
F'
Po - incident Ray,
Q
oQ - Reflected ray
i - angle of incidence, i r i r
i r
r - angle of reflection A O B
Total time taken by F to move to F' along the N N

PO OQ
ray POQ is, t = + where 'v' velocity of light in the medium
v v
From the figure PO=OA Sin i, OQ=OBSin r = (AB-OA) Sin r
OA Sin i AB Sin r OA Sin r
t=  
v v v
AB Sin r OA(Sin i  Sin r)
t= 
v v
This time should be same for all rays, The condition for this is
(Sin i  Sin r) = 0
i= r

 Explain law of refraction on the basis of wave theory

F - incidenting wave front
F' - Refracted wave fornt
PO - Incident Ray

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 OQ - Refracted Ray P Medium I
(v1)
i - angle of incidence, F
r - angle of refraction
i
Total time taken by F to move' i B
A O r r
F' along the ray POQ is
Medium II
PO OQ (v2)
t= v  v
1 2

where v1 velocity of light in the 1st medium, V2-

F1
Velocity of light in the II medium Q
OA Sin i (AB  OA)Sin r
t= 
v1 v2

AB Sin r Sin i Sin r

 OA( 
v2 v1 v2

This time should be the same for all the rays. The condition for this

Sin i Sin r

v1 v2 = 0

c
Sin i v1 v n
  2  2  n 21
Sin r v 2 c n1 , Snells Law of refraction.
v1

 Explain coherent light sources - write the examples.

Two light sources which emit light waves having same Frequency, Amplitude and Zero / Constant
phase differance.
Eg : Youngs double slit - Light coming from two parallel and close slits on an opaque screen
illuminated by a narrow slit which is brightened by a light source.
Lloyd's Mirror : A light source and its mirror image

 What is interference - The effect produced in a region of space by the superposition of two or
more identical waves.
These are two types,

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Constructive interferance - The resultant displacement (Amplitude) of two identical waves after
Super position is maximum.
A - Amplitude of electric field vector of each wave,
Resultant Displacement = A+A
Intensity I = (2A)2
Note:- Electric field vector is used to represent monochromatic (single frequency) light.

Destructive Interference - The resultant displacement (Amplitude) of two identical waves after
super position is zero(min). Resultant displacement = A-A  Intensity = 0
 What is the interference pattern - Alternative maximum intensity and minimum intensity.
 What is sustained interference write the condition for it.
The interference pattern in which the positions of maximum and minimum intensities do not change
with time.
Conditions :
1) The sources of light must be coherant
2) The sources must be narrow and close to each other
3) They should emit light continously
4) The Screen must be comparately at large distance from the coherant sources.

 Write the conditions for constructive interference and disctructive interference

For constructive interferance
Phase differance between two waves,  =2n  , where n = 0, 1, 2, 3, .......
Path differance between two waves,  = n  where n=0, 1, 2, 3.....
For destructive interferance,
Phase difference,  =(2n+1)  where n = 0, 1, 2, 3, .......

Path difference,  = (2n+1) 2 

θ
5

Relation between Path differance and Phase differance

2 2
δ I ∝ A + A

 2
4 A
2

2
+ 0
∴
=2 
δ =

Phase differance,  =2  =  =  , Path difference = 

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 For unit wavelength, phase differance  = 2 

For Path differance  , Phase differance  = 2  . 

 Draw variation of intensity (I) of light due to double slit.

Intensity of light due to double slit is in between 0 (min) and 4 times (max) the contribution of
single slit
I max max
max max 4A2
A - Amplitude of light wave S1 and S2
open
from each slit

central bright
Intensity of light due to
S1 or
double slit : I  A 2  A 2 min min
S2 open
min min

= 2A2 5

2 3

 λ λ  3 2 5

2 2 2 2 2
 2

For costructive interferance
the resultatnt amplitude = A+A
Intensity of light due to constructive interferance, I  (2A2) = 4A2
For destructive interferance the resultant amplitude = A - A
Intensity of light due to destructive interfarance = 0

4A 2  0
Hence average intensity of light after interfarance = = 2A2
2
So interferance is the redistribution of energy keeping total energy is constant
i.e. energy is conserved.

 Relation between the width of a slit (w) and intensity of light

IW

 The amplitude of lihgt waves from two slits are in the ratio 2:1.
What is the ratio of their width?
I1:I2 = A12:A22 = W1 : W2
 W1 : W2 = 4 : 1

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 screen
 Write the expression for path differance and
band width of interfarance P IIIDB


IIBB
 IIOB
S1S2 - double slit, S - narow slit arranged x 1BB

S1
on the perpendicular bisector of S1S2 
ID 
 central
S1S2=d, distance between the slits, OO' = S
d  O' bright
O N band
D - Distance of the screen from the double slit
 1DB
S2
P - a point on the screen OP = x  1BB
 IIDB

Pathdifferance between two rays proceeding  IIBB

 IIIDB

from S1 and S2 on arrving at the poit P is D

 = S2P-S1P = S2N

S2 N
from  S1NS2, Sin  =
d
x x x
from OO' P Sin  =  = (  x is very small)
OP OO ' D
S2 N x
=
d D
d
Path difference  =
D
xd
For constructive interfarance ,   = n  where n=0, 1, 2, 3 , ...
D
when n=0,  =0,All rays from S1 and S2 joined together at O' formed central bright band.

x1d D
when n = 1, =   x1= , distance of First Bright Band from central
D d
bright band.
x 2d 2D
when n = 2, =2   x2= , Distance of 2nd BB from central BB.
D d
X3d 3λD
When n=3,  3λ  x3 = , Distance of 3rd BB from central BB.
D d
...................................... etc.
λD
Distance between two adjacent Bright   x 2  x1  called Bandwidth
d
Bands.

For distructive interference,  =(2n+1) where n=0, 1, 2, 3, .........
2

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 x1d  D
when n=0, = ,  x1 = 1 2 , distance of 1st DB from CBB (lies in between CBB
D 2 d
and IBB)
x 2d 3 D
when n = 1, = 2  x 2= 3 2 , Distance of 2nd DB from CBB.
D d
(lies in between IBB and IIBB)

x 3d 5 D
when n = 2, = 2  x2 = 5 2 , Distance of 3rd DB from CBB.
D d
(lies in between IIBB and IIIBB)
................. etc.
Distance between two adjacent dark Bands called Band width (fringe width)
λD
 = x2 - x1 =
d
 Calculate width of CBB - it is the distance between Ist DB on either side of CBB
D 1 D D
 1  
2 d 2 d d
 When we immerse the Youngs double slit apparatus (Demonstration of interference of light) in a
liguid of refractive index n -
What will be the fringe width?
D
In air,  =
d
 'D
In a liquid,  = (only wavelength changes)
d
 c n 1 v1 n 2
But,  '  v  n (using   v  n )
air 2 2 1


 ' = n , since nair=1

D 
' = ,  '  , decreases,
n d n
 In young's double slit experiment slits are 0.2mm apart and screen is 1.5m away. It is observed
that the distance between CBB and fourth bright Band is 1.8cm. Calculate the wave length of light
used.

4  1.8x102 m
4 λD  1.8x102 m
d

1.8x10-2 x0.2x10-2
λ=  0.6x106 m
4x1.5

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 What is difraction of light - The phenomenon of bending of light around an opaque obstacle.
Who explained difraction of light.
Fresnal explained difraction on the basis of wave theory.

 Explain difraction of light at narrow slit

AB - narrow slit of width a,  - angle of diffraction, P - a point on the screen at  IISM
a distance x from o. Path differance between the rays P
 II min
coming from top and bottom of
the slit on arrving at the point P is A x  ISM
I min
 =BP-AP=BN=a sin 
xa 
 = a  = D (  is small) M
 O CM
 I min
Condition for difraction a  =n  screen
N  ISM
n  II min
= where n = 0, 1, 2, 3, .... B
a  ISM
D
I When n = 0,  =0. All the rays coming from AB joined together at O. x
MOP, Sin 
D
This gives max intensity at O called central maximum (CM) BN
ABN, Sin 
a
II The point P becomes dark (minima), Pathe difference, Q  n xa
BN 
D
n
When  =  where n = 1, 2, 3, .... called Ist, IInd, IIIrd.... minima (M) are formed on either
a
side of the central max.
III The point P becomes less intense max (secondary max)

Path difference, a  =(2n+1)
2
(2n  1) 
Then  = , n = 1, 2, 3, .... called Ist, IInd, IIIrd.....
2 a
Secondary Max (SM) are formed on eiher side central max, but in between two minima.
 Draw variation of intensity of light with angle of difraction due to a narrow slit.
CM

SM
Intensity

SM
SM SM

M M M M M
3 5 2 3  O  3 2 5 3
a 2a a 2a a a 2a a 2a a
Angle
Note : As n increases intensity decreases.

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 Calculate the width of diffraction minimum.

xna
For nth minimum, a  n= = n
D
n D
xn= , Distance of nth minimum from central maximum.
a
D
Distance of (n+1)th minimum, x(n+1)= (n+1)
a
 Width of minimum, xn1 xn 
D
 
a

 Calculate the width of diffraction SM

x n a (2n  1)
for nth SM, a  n= = 
D 2
(2n  1) D
xn = , distance of nth SM from central maximum.
2 a
[2(n 1)  1] D
Distance of (n-1)th minimum, x(n-1)=
2 a
 Width of SM,  = xn - xn-1
D

a

 Calculate the witdth of Central Max.

It is the distance between Ist minimum on either side of central maximum

D
 Width of central max,  '=2x1 , where x1=
a
D
=2 = 2
a
 What is the condition for complete polarisation of reflected ray?
Angle between reflected ray and refracted rays is 90
 State and explain Brewsters law

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 Tan of angle of incidence coresponding to complete polarisation is equal to refractive index of
medium.
iP + 90 + r = 180 


r = 90 - iP

air
By Snell's law, iP iP=r 

Sin i P Sin i P
nwa = Sin r = Sin (90  i )
P
r
water
Sin i P
nwa= Cos i = Tan iP
P

In general, n = Tan iP

 What is Polarisation of light : Oscillation of Electric field vector (rep. of light) in transverse plane.
 
 Unpolarised light - E and B vibrate in infinity direction.
 Can sound wave get polarised?
No.

 Angle of incidence is equal to polarising angle. (iP) Show that RRand RR' are mutually
perpendiculer. RR

Sin i P Sin i P 
n = Tan iP = Cos i = Sin r
P 
IR iP
iP 
Cos iP = Sin r
Sin (90-iP) = Sin r
90-iP = r r
iP + r = 90
RR
Angle between RR and RR is 90.

 Which property of light reveals light in Transverse in wave nature Polarisation

 What is polar oid write examples.
A synthetic substance in which the intensity of light is reduced to half
eg: Tourmaline crystal, Nicol Prism, Sugar Solution.

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 Critical angle of glass is 400 calculate the Polarising angle. (Polarising Angle - Angle of incidence
at which the reflected ray of completely polarised.)

1
n = Sin c , n=Tan iP

1
iP = Tan-1( Sin c )

1
= Tan-1( Sin 40 )=560

 What is Doppler effect of light

The apparent change in frequency of light due to relative motion of the source and observer

c  vo
Apparant frequency,  '=  ( c  v ), where  - actual frequency light
s

vo - speed of observer
vs - speed of source
c - velocity of light.
Case
1) Source is at rest observer move towards the source
vo
 '=  ( 1  ) increases
c
2) Observer at rest source moves towards the observer
vs
 '=  ( 1  ) increases
c
3) Source is at rest, observer receds from the source
vo
 '=  (1 ) decreases
c
4) Observer at rest,source receds from the observer
vs
 '=  (1 ) decreases
c
5) Source and observer approach each other.
c  vo
 '=  ( c  v ) increases
s

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