CBSE Sample Questions

10.3 Refraction and Reflection of Plane SA I (2 marks)

Wave Using Huygens Principle 5. Two waves from two coherent X

sources S and S′ superimpose
SA II (3 marks) at X as shown in the figure. If X
1. Define wavefront. Draw the shape of refracted is a point on the second
wavefront when the plane incident wave undergoes minima and SX – S′X is 4.5 cm.
refraction from optically denser medium to rarer Calculate the wavelength of S
S¢
medium. Hence prove Snell’s law of refraction. the waves.
(Term II 2021-22) U (2020-21) Ap
LA (5 marks)
10.6 Diffraction
2. (a) Define a wavefront.
(b) Draw the diagram to show the shape of plane SA I (2 marks)
wavefront as they pass through (i) a thin prism
6. Draw the graph showing intensity distribution of
and (ii) a thin convex lens. State the nature of
fringes with phase angle due to diffraction through
refracted wave front.
(c) Verify Snell’s law of refraction using Huygens’s single slit. (2020-21) An
principle. (2020-21) 7. What should be the width of each slit to obtain n
maxima of double slit pattern within the central
10.5 Interference of Light Waves and maxima of single slit pattern? (2020-21)
Young’s Experiment SA II (3 marks)
MCQ 8. A narrow slit is illuminated by a parallel beam of
3. In a Young’s double slit experiment, the path monochromatic light of wavelength l equal to 6000 Å
difference at a certain point on the screen between and the angular width of the central maximum in the
1 resulting diffraction pattern is measured. When the
two interfering waves is th of the wavelength. The
8 slit is next illuminated by light of wavelength l′ the
ratio of intensity at this point to that at the centre of angular width decreases by 30%. Calculate the value
a bright fringe is close to
of the wavelength l′. (2022-23) Ap
(a) 0.80 (b) 0.74
(c) 0.94 (d) 0.85 (2022-23) Ap 9. (a) “If the slits in Young’s double slit experiment
are identical, then intensity at any point on the
4. Two statements are given-one labelled Assertion (A) screen may vary between zero and four times to
and the other labelled Reason (R). Select the correct the intensity due to single slit”.
answer to these questions from the codes (a), (b), (c) Justify the above statement through a relevant
and (d) as given below. mathematical expression.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct (b) Draw the intensity distribution as function of
explanation of A. phase angle when diffraction of light takes place
(b) Both A and R are true and R is NOT the correct through coherently illuminated single slit.
explanation of A. (Term II 2021-22) An
(c) A is true but R is false. LA (5 marks)
(d) A is false and R is also false. 10. (a) Draw the graph showing intensity distribution
Assertion (A) : In an interference pattern observed in of fringes with phase angle due to diffraction
Young’s double slit experiment, if the separation (d) through a single slit. What is the width of the
between coherent sources as well as the distance central maximum in comparison to that of a
secondary maximum?
(D) of the screen from the coherent sources both A
(b) A ray PQ is incident P
are reduced to 1/3rd, then new fringe width remains
normally on the face AB 60°
the same. Q
of a triangular prism of
Reason (R) : Fringe width is proportional to (d/D). refracting angle 60° as
(2022-23) shown in figure. The prism B C

is made of a transparent material of refractive deviation of 30°. Calculate the speed of light
2 through the prism.
index . Trace the path of the ray as it passes
3 A

through the prism. Calculate the angle of

emergence and the angle of deviation.
(2022-23) Ap
11. (a) Write two points of difference between an B C
interference pattern and a diffraction pattern. (ii) Find the angle of incidence at face AB so that
(b) (i) A ray of light incident on face AB of an the emergent ray grazes along the face AC.
equilateral glass prism, shows minimum (2022-23)
Wave Optics 303

Self Assessment
(v) In Young’s double slit experiment, if one of the
Case Based Questions (4 or 5 marks)
slits is covered with a microscope cover slip,
1. Read the passage given below and answer the then
following questions : (a) fringe pattern disappears
If double slit apparatus is immersed in a liquid of (b) the screen just gets illuminated
(c) in the fringe pattern, the brightness of the
refractive index, μ the wavelength of light reduces to
bright fringes will decreases and the dark
β
l′ and fringe width also reduces to b′ = . The given fringes will become more dark
µ
(d) bright fringes will be more bright and dark
figure shows a double-slit experiment in which
fringes will become more dark.
coherent monochromatic light of wavelength l from
a distant source is incident upon the two slits, each 2. Read the passage given below and answer the
of width w(w >> l) and the interference pattern is following questions :
viewed on a distant screen. A thin Huygen’s principle is the basis of wave theory of
piece of glass of thickness t and light. Each point on a wavefront acts as a fresh
refractive index n is placed between P source of new disturbance, called secondary waves
one of the slit and the screen, or wavelets. The secondary wavelets spread out in
t
perpendicular to the light path. all directions with the speed of light in the given
(i) In Young’s double slit interference pattern, the medium.
fringe width An initially parallel cylindrical beam travels in a
(a) can be changed only by changing the wavelength medium of refractive index μ(I) = μ0 + μ2I, where μ0
of incident light and μ2 are positive constants and I is the intensity
of the light beam. The intensity of the beam is
(b) can be changed only by changing the separation
decreasing with increasing radius.
between the two slits
E A C
(c) can be changed either by changing the A C
E
wavelength or by changing the separation a′
between two sources a
a a′
(d) is a universal constant and hence cannot be b′
b b′
changed b
c c′
(ii) If the width w of one of the slits is increased to c c′
2w, then the amplitude due to slit become d d′ d d′
(a) 1.5a (b) a/2
(c) 2a (d) no change e e′
e′ e
(iii) In YDSE, let A and B be two slits. Films of
thicknesses tA and tB and refractive indices F B
D F B D
μA and μB are placed in front of A and B,
(a) (b)
respectively. If μA tA = μB tB, then the central
(i) What is the initial shape of the wavefront of the
maxima will
beam?
(a) not shift
(ii) According to Huygens Principle, what is the
(b) shift towards A
surface of constant phase?
(c) shift towards B
(iii) What will happen, as the beam enters the
(d) shift towards A if tB < tA and shift towards B if
medium?
t B > tA
(iv) In Young’s double slit experiment, a third slit is OR
made in between the double slits. Then Two plane wavefronts of light, one incident
(a) fringes of unequal width are formed on a thin convex lens and another on the
(b) contrast between bright and dark fringes is refracting face of a thin prism. After refraction
reduced at them, what will be the emerging wavefronts
(c) intensity of fringes totally disappears respectively?
(a) plane wavefront and plane wavefront
(d) only bright light is observed on the screen.
304 CBSE Champion Physics Class 12

(b) plane wavefront and spherical wavefront 9. Spherical wave fronts, emanating from a point source,
(c) spherical wavefront and plane wavefront strike a plane reflecting surface. What will happen to
(d) spherical wavefront and spherical wavefront these wave fronts, immediately after reflection?
(a) They will remain spherical with the same
A & R Questions (1 mark) curvature, both in magnitude and sign.
For question numbers 3-7, two statements are given- one (b) They will become plane wave fronts.
(c) They will remain spherical, with the same
labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled Reason (R).
curvature, but sign of curvature reversed.
Select the correct answer to these questions from the
(d) They will remain spherical, but with different
codes (a), (b), (c) and (d) as given below :
curvature, both in magnitude and sign.
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and reason is
the correct explanation of assertion. 10. Two slits, 4 mm apart, are illuminated by light of
(b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is wavelength 6000 Å. What will be the fringe width
not the correct explanation of assertion. on a screen placed 2 m far from the slits?
(c) If assertion is true but reason is false. (a) 0.12 mm (b) 0.3 mm
(d) If both assertion and reason are false. (c) 3.0 mm (d) 4.0 mm
3. Assertion (A) : When a light wave travels from a rarer 11. If an interference pattern has maximum and
to a denser medium, it loses speed. The reduction minimum intensity in the ratio of 36 : 1, then what
in speed imply a reduction in energy carried by the will be the ratio of amplitudes ?
light wave. (a) 5 : 7 (b) 7 : 4 (c) 4 : 7 (d) 7 : 5
Reason (R) : The energy of a wave is proportional to 12. A diffraction pattern is obtained using a beam of red
velocity of wave. light. What happens if the red light is replaced by
4. Assertion (A) : The central fringe is bright or dark is blue light?
depend upon the initial phase difference between (a) No change.
the two coherence sources. (b) Diffraction bands become narrower and
Reason (R) : The pattern and position of fringes crowded together.
always remain same even after the introduction of (c) Band become broader and farther apart.
transparent medium in a path of one of the slit. (d) Bands disappear altogether.

5. Assertion (A) : Coloured spectrum is seen when we VSA Type Questions (1 mark)
look through a muslin cloth.
Reason (R) : The coloured spectrum is due to 13. What type of wavefront will emerge from a (i) point
diffraction of white light on passing through fine source, and (ii) distant light source?
slits made by fine threads in the muslin cloth. 14. For a given single slit, the diffraction pattern is
6. Assertion (A) : Two point coherent sources of light S1 obtained on a fixed screen, first by using red light
and S2 are placed on a line as shown. P and Q are two and then with blue light. In which case, will the
points on that line. If at point P maximum intensity central maxima, in the observed diffraction pattern,
is observed then maximum intensity should also be have a larger angular width?
observed at Q. 15. State Huygens’ principle of diffraction of light.
Q S1 S2 P OR
Reason (R) : In the figure of assertion the distance If YDSE set up is completely submerged into a
|S1P – S2P| is equal to distance |S2Q – S1Q|. transparent liquid of refractive index μ, then find the
new fringe width.
7. Assertion (A) : The frequencies of incident, reflected
and refracted beam of monochromatic light passing SA I Type Questions (2 marks)
from one medium to another are the same.
Reason (R) : The incident, the reflected and refracted 16. Light of wavelength 6 × 10–5 cm falls on a screen at a
rays are coplanar. distance of 100 cm from a narrow slit. Find the width
of the slit if the first minima lies 1 mm on either side
Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark) of the central maximum.
17. A soap film of thickness 0.3 μm appears dark when
8. Wavefront is the locus of all points, where the
seen by the reflected light of wavelength 580 nm.
particles of the medium vibrate with the same
What is the index of refraction of the soap solution,
(a) phase (b) amplitude
if it is known to be between 1.3 and 1.5?
(c) frequency (d) period
Wave Optics 305

OR (b) Why is the diffraction of sound waves more

The intensity of the light coming from one of the evident in daily experience than that of light
slits in a YDSE is double the intensity from the other wave?
slit. Find the ratio of maximum intensity to minimum (c) If one of the slits in Young’s double slit
intensity in the interference fringe pattern observed. experiment is fully closed, the new pattern has
18. In a single slit diffraction experiment first minimum ______ central maximum in angular size.
for l1 = 660 nm coincides with first maxima for
wavelength l2. Calculate l2. LA Type Questions (5 marks)

19. Yellow light (l = 6000 Å) illuminates a single slit of 23. (a) In a single narrow slit (illuminated by a
width 1 × 10–4 m. Calculate the distance between monochromatic source) diffraction experiment,
two dark lines on either side of the central maximum, deduce the conditions for the central maximum
when the diffraction pattern is viewed on a screen and secondary maxima and minima observed in
kept 1.5 m away from the slit. the diffraction pattern.
(b) Explain why the secondary maxima go on
SA II Type Questions (3 marks) becoming weaker in intensity as the order
increases.
20. In Young’s double slit experiment, the two slits
OR
0.15 mm apart are illuminated by monochromatic
light of wavelength 450 nm. The screen is 1.0 m (a) In Young’s double slit experiment, the two slits
away from the slits. are kept 2 mm apart and the screen is positioned
(a) Find the distance of the second (i) bright fringe, (ii) 140 cm away from the plane of the slits. The
dark fringe from the central maximum. slits are illuminated with light of wavelength
(b) How will the fringe pattern change if the screen 600 nm. Find the distance of the third bright
is moved away from the slits? fringes, from the central maximum, in the
interference pattern obtained on the screen.
21. (a) In a single slit diffraction experiment, a slit
of width ‘d’ is illuminated by red light of If the wavelength of the incident light were
wavelength 650 nm. For what value of ‘d’ will changed to 480 nm, find out the shift in the
(i) the first minimum fall at an angle of diffraction position of third bright fringe from the central
of 30°, and maximum.
(ii) the first maximum fall at an angle of diffraction (b) Laser light of wavelength 630 nm incident on
of 30°? a pair of slits produces an interference pattern
(b) Why does the intensity of the secondary in which the bright fringes are separated by
maximum become less as compared to the 7.2 mm. Calculate the wavelength of
central maximum? another source of laser light which produces
OR interference fringes separated by 8.1 mm using
The YDSE set-up is shown. On the lower slit a slab of same pair of slits.
thickness 0.1 mm and refractive index 3/2 is placed 24. (a) In double-slit experiment using light of
l = 5000 Å, d = 50 × 10–4 cm, f = 30 , D = 2 m. Find wavelength 600 nm, the angular width of
a fringe formed on a distant screen is 0.1 .
What is the spacing between the two slits?
S1 (b) White coherent light (400 nm-700 nm) is sent
f through the slits of a YDSE, the separation
d O between the slits is 0.5 mm and the screen is
50 cm away from the slits. There is a hole in the
S f
S2 screen at a point 1 mm away (along the width
D of the fringes) from the central line. Which
S wavelength will be absent in the light coming
from the hole?
(i) Position of central maxima
S
(ii) Order of maxima at O and how many fringes
1mm
will cross O if slab is removed? 0.5
mm 50 cm O
22. (a) Is Huygens principle valid for longitudinal
sound waves?