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General Physics 2 – Grade 12 (STEM)

Learning Activity Sheets
Quarter 4 – Week 9A INTERFERENCE AND DIFFRACTION

First Edition, 2021

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Development Team of the Learners’ Activity Sheets

Writer: Marvelous Saint P. Jumanoy

Editors: Ric Me D. Diaz
Shekaina Faith C. Lozada
AR A. Ranesis
Marvin T. Tejano
Juzalin P. Costuya
Edna E. Trinidad
Layout Reviewers: Kevin Hope Z. Salvaña,
Cesar F. Navales, Jr.
Yvonne S. Salubre
Jeremaeh G. Delos
Management Team: Josita B. Carmen, Schools Division Superintendent
Jasmin R. Lacuna, Asst. Schools Division Superintendent
Celsa A. Casa, CID Chief
Bryan L. Arreo, LR Manager
Edna Trinidad, Science Education Program Supervisor

Author: Marvelous Saint P. Jumanoy

School/Station: Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: [email protected]
 WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEETS
General Physics 2, Grade 12, Quarter 4, Week 9a

INTERFERENCE AND DIFFRACTION

Name: ___________________________________________ Section: ____________________

Learning Objectives:
- Determine the conditions (superposition, path and phase difference, polarization,
amplitude) for interference to occur emphasizing the properties of a laser as a
monochromatic and coherent light source (STEM_GP12OPTIVf-32)
- Relate the geometry of the two-slit experiment set up (slit separation, and screen-to-slit
distance) and properties of light (wavelength) to the properties of the interference pattern
(width, location, and intensity) (STEM_GP12OPTIVf-33)
- Relate the geometry of the diffraction experiment setup (slit size, and screen- to-slit
distance) and properties of light (wavelength) to the properties of the diffraction pattern
(width, location, and intensity of the fringes) (STEM_GP12OPTIVf-35)

Specific Objectives:
After the lesson, the students will be able to:
1. Determine the patterns formed by the interference of two coherent light waves.
2. Evaluate the intensity at various point in an interference; and
3. Solve problems on diffraction formed when coherent light passes through a narrow
slit.

Time Allotment: 4 hours

Key Concepts
• The term interference refers to any situation in which two or more waves overlap
in space. When this occurs, the total waves at any point at any instant of time is
governed by the principle of superposition, in the context of waves on a string.
This principle also applies to electromagnetic waves and is the most important
principle in all physical optics. The principle of superposition states:

When two or more waves overlap, the resultant displacement at any point and at
any instant is found by adding the instantaneous displacement that would be
produced at the point by the individual waves if each present alone.

• The term “displacement” in a general sense. With waves of the surface of a liquid,
we mean the actual displacement of the surface above or below its normal level.
With sound waves, the term refers to the excess or deficiency pressure. For
electromagnetic waves, we usually mean a specific component of electric or
magnetic field.

Author: Marvelous Saint P. Jumanoy

School/Station: Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: [email protected]
 • One important case of interference, in which two
identical waves propagating in opposite directions
combine to produce a standing wave. For transverse
wave on a string and for longitudinal waves in a fluid
filling a pipe; It described the same phenomenon for
electromagnetic waves.

• In all of these cases the waves propagated along from

the single axis: Along a string, along the length of a
fluid-filled pipe, or along the propagation direction of
an electromagnetic plane wave. But light wave can
(and do) travel in two or three dimensions, as can any
kind of waves that propagates in a two-or three
dimensional medium. Figure 1: A snapshot of sinusoidal waves of
frequency f and wavelength 𝜆 spreading
• Interference effects are most easily seen when out from the source S1 in all directions.
sinusoidal waves are combined with a single
frequency f and wavelength 𝜆. Figure 1 shows a Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University
Physics with Modern Physics” 12th edition.
“snapshot” or “freeze-frame” of a single source 𝑆1 of
sinusoidal waves and some of the wave fronts produced by these sources. The
figure shows only the wave fronts of the corresponding wave crests, so they’re
spacing between successive wave fronts in one wavelength. The materials
surrounding 𝑆1 is uniform, so the waves speed is the same in all directions, and
there is no refraction, hence no bending of the wave fronts.

• If the waves are two-dimensional, like waves on the surface of a liquid, the circles
in Figure 1 represent circular wave fronts; if the waves propagate in three
dimensions, the circles represent spherical wave fronts spreading away from 𝑆1 .

• The idea of the superposition principle is illustrated in Figure 2.

Constructive Interference

Destructive Interference

Figure 2. Superposition of waves. (b) Constructive interference, and (c) destructive interference.
Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University Physics with Modern Physics” 12 th edition.

• In 1801, Thomas Young carried out an experiment also called Young’s Double-
Slit Experiment, in which the wave nature of light was demonstrated. The
schematic diagram of the double-slit experiment is shown in Figure 3.

Author: Marvelous Saint P. Jumanoy

School/Station: Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: [email protected]
Figure 3. Young’s double-slit experiment.
Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University Physics with Modern Physics” 12 th edition.

• A monochromatic light source is incident on the first screen which contains a slit
S0. The emerging light then arrives at the second screen which has two parallel
slits S1 and S2, which serve as the sources of coherent light. The light waves
emerging from the two slits then interfere and form an interference pattern on the
viewing screen. The bright bands (fringes) correspond to interference maxima, and
the dark band is interference minima.

• Figure 4 shows the ways in which the waves could combine to interfere
constructively or destructively.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 4. Constructive interference (a) at P, and (b) at P 1.(c) Destructive interference
Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University Physics with Modern Physics” 12 th edition.

• The geometry of the double-slit interference is shown in the Figure 5.

Author: Marvelous Saint P. Jumanoy

School/Station: Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: [email protected]
Figure 5. Double-slit experiment.
Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University Physics with Modern Physics” 12 th edition.

• CONSTRUCTIVE INTERFERENCE produces Bright fringes which occur when the

amplitude of the resultant wave is greater than the amplitudes of either
component wave. It results for brighter light, and for sound, it produces a louder
sound.
dsin θₙ = nλ,

where n = 0, 1, 2, 3...

• DESTRUCTIVE INTERFERENCE produces Dark fringes which occurs when the

resultant amplitude is smaller. It results for darker light, and in sound, it cancels
the sound completely.
dsin θₙ = nλ/2,

where n = 1, 3, 5, 7...

(a) (b)
Figure 6. (a) Destructive interference. (b) Constructive interference
Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University Physics with Modern Physics” 12 th edition.

• In addition to interference, waves also exhibit

another property – diffraction, which is the
bending of waves as they pass by some objects or
through an aperture. The phenomenon of
diffraction can be understood using Huygens’s
principle which states that every unobstructed
point on a wavefront will act a source of secondary
spherical waves. The new wavefront is the surface
tangent to all the secondary spherical waves. The
propagation of the wave is based on Huygens’s
principle.

Figure 7. Shows Diffracted Wavepoint.

Source: “Sears and Zemansky’s University Physics with Modern Physics” 12 th edition.

Author: Marvelous Saint P. Jumanoy

School/Station: Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: [email protected]
 • DIFFRACTION GRATING - it is the pattern obtained at a brighter and sharper
diffraction which slits similar to Young’s experiment are spaced regularly and of
the same width.

FORMULA for Diffraction Grating:

dsin θₙ = nλ,
where n = 1, 2, 3...
d = spacing of slits
θₙ = deviation of angle for the nth bright fringe
λ = wavelength of incident light

SAMPLE PROBLEM:
A diffraction grating having 15,000 lines per inch is illuminated by parallel light of
wavelength 589 nm. What are the angles at which the 1st and 2nd order bright fringes
occur?
Given:

1 (0.0254 m)
d= × = 1.69 × 10⁻⁶ m/line
(15000 line/in.) (1 in.)
589 nm x (1.0 m)
λ= = 5.89 × 10⁻⁷ m
(1.0 × 109 nm)

n = 1, 2
Use formula:
dsin θₙ = nλ
Solution:

nλ (1)(5.89 × 10⁻⁷ m)
sin θ₁ = = = 0.349
𝑑 (1.69 × 10⁻⁶ m/line)
θ₁ = 20.4°
nλ (2)(5.89 × 10⁻⁷ m)
sin θ₂ = = = 0.697
𝑑 (1.69 × 10⁻⁶ m/line)
θ₂ = 44.2°

Author: Marvelous Saint P. Jumanoy

School/Station: Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: [email protected]
Activity 1: Go Precisely!

Objective: Determine the patterns formed by the interference of two coherent light waves.

What you need:

• Paper and pen

What to do: Answer briefly and clearly the following questions. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. What will happen if two beams of coherent light are shining on the same piece of white
paper, with respect to the crests and troughs of such waves?

2. In Young’s double-slit interference experiment, what will happen to the distance adjacent
to light and dark fringes changed when the wavelength of the source is doubled?

Activity 2: Multiple Choices!

Objective: Evaluate the intensity at various point in an interference.

What you need:

• Paper and pen
• calculator

What to do: Answer the following questions based on the concepts that you have learned. Write
your answer in a separate sheet of paper.

1. In what condition does the two waves undergo constructive interference?

A) when their phase difference is zero.
B) when their phase difference is /2 rad.
C) when their phase difference is /2 rad.
D) when their phase difference is an even integral multiple of  rad.
E) when their phase difference is an odd integral multiple of  rad.

2. In what condition does the two waves undergo destructive interference?

A) when their phase difference is zero.
B) when their phase difference is /2 rad.
C) when their phase difference is /2 rad.
D) when their phase difference is an even integral multiple of  rad.
E) when their phase difference is an odd integral multiple of  rad.

3. Two coherent sources emit waves of 2.0-m wavelength in phase. If the path length to
an observer differs by ________, then _________ interference occurs.
A) 1.0 m, constructive
B) 2.0 m, destructive
C) 3.5 m, constructive
D) 7.0 m, destructive
E) 8.0 m, destructive

Author: Marvelous Saint P. Jumanoy

School/Station: Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: [email protected]
 4. Which of the following shows a destructive interference.

a. b. c.

5. Superposition principle can also be applied to the following, EXCEPT

A) Electromagnetic wave
B) light in crystal
C) sound wave
D) water movement

Activity 3: Solve Me!

Objective: Solve problems on diffraction formed when coherent light passes through a narrow
slit.

What you need:

• Paper and pen
• Scientific Calculator

What to do: Answer the following problems. Write your solutions in a separate sheet of paper.

1. A diffraction grating having 10,000 lines per inch is illuminated by parallel light
of wavelength 589 nm. What are the angles at which the 1st and 2nd order bright
fringes occur?

2. Light having a wavelength of 600 nm passes on a 0.32-mm-diameter lens. On a screen

80 cm away, a diffraction pattern form. What is the distance from center of the pattern
to the first dark fringe?

3. Light of wavelength 540 nm is incident on a slit of width 0.15 mm, and a diffraction
pattern is produced on a screen that is 2.00 m from the slit. What is the width of the
central bright fringe? (1 nm = 10-9 m)

Reflection
Give practical applications of the concepts that you have learned from the learning
activities. Write your 5-sentence answer in a separate sheet of paper.
RUBRICS
3 2 1 0
Practical application is Practical application is Practical application No discussion.
scientifically explained scientifically explained is explained
consistent to the consistent to the consistent to the
concepts, and concepts, but with concepts but with
has no misconceptions. minimal misconceptions.
misconceptions.

Author: Marvelous Saint P. Jumanoy

School/Station: Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: [email protected]
References for learners:

Glancolli, Douglas. Physics Principles and Applications 6th ed. New Jersey: Pearson
Education, Inc. 2005.
Caintic, Helen E. General Physics 1 for Senior High School. C & E Publishing Inc.,
2017.
Halliday, David and Resnick, Robert. Fundamentals of Physics 10th ed. John Wiley &
Sons, Inc. 2014.
Serway, Raymond and John Jewett. Physics for Scientists and Engineers 6th ed.
Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2004.
Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, A. Lewis Ford, and Hugh D. Young. Sears and
Zemansky's University Physics. 13th ed. Boston, MA: Pearson Learning Solutions,
2012.

Answer Key
B 5.
C 4.
D 3.
E 2.
D 1. fringes is also doubled.
2. The distance between adjacent light and dark
Activity 2 from the other.
crest from one wave overlaps with the trough
1.5 mm 1. Darkness will occur on the paper where the
3. s₀ = 1.5× 10⁻³ or
Possible Answer:
or 1.83 mm
2. s₀ = 1.83 × 10⁻³ Activity 1
1. 450

Activity 3: Solve Me!

Author: Marvelous Saint P. Jumanoy

School/Station: Gamut National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur
email address: [email protected]