\VA v,,~ c>PTI< H 1

Nuf m·,, ol llitM :

I lghl ',1i11111 ~1 111111, 11111•(h•lo 1111d \\IIVV 111!11111• 'l'ltt1I 11tl'l lll '-l liglil vxldhlfl, d11:d
tlllllll l'. 'I II l' \pl11l11 1111111H' cd ll1dtl , clil 11•11·111 llwc11 I< M r,rc• p1·op 1 11,wd .

Nc Wfc•11 •N
1
rt11 'pl1.'l,•11l111 • 11wclol :
, \\ l mdi111 1 111llii11 11111dl'I, llgltl iMrnilllt•d 111 1111' 101111'1111 1,IJ 'l'll111 of 11d1111I<:
p111llvll'll v11llnl l'11q1WH' ll'IL l'lll·m· 1·c,1p1111 l'll·11 l 111·1y c·11t·1·1•,y 111 Ilic.· 1111 ·111 ol ki11cli ~
l'lll'I}',\ /\1•111 llil :1 11111dl•I p1l1dtl' I 111111 np,,1·d ol ligl1I 111 gn:ull-1· i11 dl'll'WI 11wdi111n
1111111 t't11t·1 11n•di11111 . t 1111 r~p1·1 i111c11l11nlimv:1111111 HIH'l'd ol' lip.)11 iH 11101'l' in l'W't'I'
1111.;di11111 1111111 Ill dl' ll/ll' I' llll'd111111.
'1111 •~ llH'Pl\ npl11111fl•lkdi11111111d 1lJ l'i1t t.: li1111 h,11 liiil lo t;:,q,l1d11 i11lcl'lbn:11c:1.,;.
di I li'l ll ' ( ic 111 1111d I 11111111111111111 ,

J, llu)'l~N1'N WIIVI' Hwory .

Wn\'l' ll1rn1y 111 li1•,l11 ww, pr·op<>Hl:d 1,y ( 'l11i ~1 li1111 I ll1yg1.,;11 ~; i11 l(,'/8 .
Al'l'11rd111g tu tlii i: lli~•111 y, li,.,1,t p1·op11g11lt·H 11,"l 111111: d1111d<:11I wuw i11 ll1l· form of'
di Hl111h1111l'l' lhnH11•.h 11 l1ypollil'lirnl 11n·di11111 i.:11lkd 'l: llil•r'.
Tim-: lliro1) l':-.pl11i111\·lkrlio11, l'l'lr111.:ti1111 , inll'I k1t'lll' t= 1111d dilfral:lio11 ol'
lif•.lif 11111 lirilN lo l'Xpl1ii11 pol111'i1.11lillt1 . pltotol.'ll'l.'11 it.: d'kt;I, Rn111u11 clfl.:c t w1d
( '11111plw1 d kl I.

J. l\111\w,•11'1-1 ,,fc.,,·c.-011rn~11dfr w11vt. 1 ihN>1)1 :

11kl 1rn11111g11l'lk WIIVl' 1l1l·111y ,,·11s p1·oposl.·d hy M11xwl.'II. Avcordi11g lo fltis
llrl'Pl)' , lif•.111 r1111sisls pl ll11l'lt111li11g l'k'l.'lrir 1111d 111111 1,lll'lk lil.'lds pn>pagntcd i11 thl·
1i11111 ol l'ln: l1011111g11vlk w11wi,:, '1lirsl' wnvc: l 'l lll propH/•,ull' tl1rougll llil: Vill't111111.
This llirnry l'Xpl11i11 n·lkr1irn1 , n:frm:tio11, it1ll.:tl~·1\.·11cl· 1111d dil'frrn.:lion HIid
pol11d:1,11f io11 . I t11I lidls to l'.'ipl11i11 plmlol'll'l'll'k l'ffl'rl, 1{111111111 d'fi:l.:I u11d ( '0111plo11
dH.'l ' f dt·.

:1, Pln11l,'s tJmwf 11111 flH•o1·y :

This tlu:or y w11 s propOHl'd l>y Mn:-. plunk i11 I ()00. /\lTording to this lhi.:ory
rudiufion is in tlil.· lh1111 ol'tioy Jllll'kl·I ol l:11l'lV,Y rnlll·d • q11n111:i·. l'h<.: cm·rgy of'
1..•11d1 q111111l11 01· pholo11 b 1•,iw11 by H h11
whl•f'l• II plunk 's rom:111111, 11 ll'l'<llll'llty ol' rndinl io11.

J>ni:c 1227
 This tlwory cxpluin photol'lcctrfr L:lfoct, l{w11a11 cf'lcct w1d ( 'oinrton
cffoe-t
but l'uils lo 1:xplui11 inlt.:rf<.m.:ncc, di f'lh,ction 1111d pol11rizalion .

./4: cu' s 11riuciplc:

W1: usu huygun 's principle to derive the Jnws of' rcfkction and n..:frae
tion . 'I he
principle or superposition or wuvcs is used Lo explain intcrfcrcncc
of' light.
Wavefront :

When n small stone is dropped into :{till water, wavcs arc forme
d on thc surface of
the water in form spreading circl1;s. All the points on the cirele, oscill
ates with the
sam9 phase b1;cnusc they me at the same di stance li·orn the source
.
I " Tlte locus of all the particles vibrates in the same phase is called Wavefront''[}1-lli
The speed with, which the wavefront moves outwards is called
speed of wave. The
energy of'thc wave travels in the direction perpendicular to the wavef
ront.
Depending upon the shape of the source or light, wavefront can
be classified as 3
category.

l . Spherical wavefront: A spherical wavefront is produced by

a point source of
light. lt is beeause, The locus of all the particles vibrates in the same
phase are
spheres. Such a wavefront is called spherical wavefront.
2. Cylindrical Wavefront: When the source of light is linear in
shape (such as a
slit) cylindrical wavefront produced. It is because The locus of all
the particles
vibrates in the same phase is a cylindrical surface and it is called
Cylindrical
wavefront.
3. Plane wavefront: If the wavefront originating from the distan
t source it appear
plane and hence it is called plane wavefront.

:F1 GJ (2) fJ.Gi (3)

Page I 228
 /
Huygcn's principle:

IIuygen'spr· ,· J • I · · d ·· f
a Wavcfro11t l l 111c1p ,c ts t•1c •gcometncal
• method of findmg the shape an pos1t1011 o
· . uygcn s prmc1ple 1s staled as follows :
1
· Encl, [Joint on" wavefront is a source of secondary disturbance and tlte
secondary wavelets originati11g from these point spread out in all direction
wit!, the speed of the wave.

2. A tangent <lraw11 to secondary wavelets in the forward directio11 gives the

position of new WflPeji-<mt.

Let ' s' is a point source which i.:mits light in all possible direction . Then AB is
the locus of all points which vibrates in same phase it is called initial wavefront. The
secondary wavelets originating from each point on the wavefront travel in the
direction with the same speed ' v'. afkr a time ' t ' they devclopes a sphere of radius vt.
The tangential surface CD drawn to all the sphere in the forward direction give the
shape and position or th e new v.avefront aikr a time ·r.

:>
~

:> ··~
,_.,

1Joi:i\
t ( <l • t •

:>
..,) X'

:>
Refraction of a plane wave using buygen's principlt-:

Jncidcnt wavefront
~

~
:':) Vt
~ u 1T

Medium I
p
~ C p•
Medium 2
a V;a<U1
Refracted
wavefront

Pagej229
 Let 'XY ' represents thi.: surfi1n· scpar:tl lllf.'.
111cdi11111 I :111d J I ,cl v 1& v I he IIH ·:pw.:d
of light in llll'dium I& 2 n:spl'diwly (v
1 v,).
Consider n plallL' wavefront ' /\H' iori,k11I in
:i 111l'dit1111 I :ii nu 1111g li.; i " 11 tlir
refracting surface •xy ·. According to h11yg,
: 11 ·s pil11riplr l'Y~ty poi11I w, llw
wavefront /\B is the source of sccondnry wavL
·IL:ls I l'I 1hr M'i.;011d11ry wuvrlGI', '"" 1' 1
'B' strikes the surface at'(" in o time ·1·· tl1l'll
BC v l. 1

The secondary wav dct from · /\' will trnvd

u di stu11cl' i11 11 111t·diw11 2 ill the 1,0,,a:
time . Draw an arc with 'A' m; u Cl'ntrc. Tin.:
Then AD - v2t and CD represents thr " n.: frm:
t1111gL·11I frrn11 '( " lo11dH.'S Ilic w1.: til 'f!' ,
lcd wnvr..: lront "
1,"t,
" 11>Ac·· I· - nng1CO r· · · 1
IIICI ( Cll<.:L'
.--p cA anglc or rcfract inn
r
BC v1 t and ;\I) V1 l A
Fro m t\ BAC ,
pk -AB c
sin i -/I/JCC
From 6. ~ CA,
A/- -
sin r
/IC

Therefore, sin I
- --HC /IC
sin AC
1· X~
II --

sin i BC
-slnr - -AC ~
V2 (

slni v, sin/
-sin r -JJ ==> Constant
4 sin,.
This Represents sncll's law of refraction.

When light travels from rarer medium lo dens

er medium. It bLmds towards l111.:
normal. Hence 4isshorter thou BC (v1 ,,, v2)
Also, BC = 11, 1 = Wavelength of the light in medium 1
A~ = 11,2 = Wavelength of'the light i11 med
ium 2
sin l
Therefore, V1
~
sin r Vz ).,

Therefore, ~ ~
ill il.z

Thus when light travel from rarer medium

to dcnscr 1111.:dium(v, ..,. v2 ), then
wavelength and speed of propagation decrease
s hut the fh.·queney remains same.

Page j 230
~ t i o o of a plane wave at a rarer medium:
h Consider a plane wavefront AB incident on rarer medium for which v > v1. Then
2
the plan wave bends away from the normal. Jlence the angle of refraction is greater
t an the angle of incidence. The refracted wavefront is EC.

Incident wavefront

Medium I

Refracled wavefront

In this case also snell 's law of refraction is same and it is given by,
. . .
n Ism 1 = n2sm r
If i = c then r = 90°
Therefore, n I sine = n2sin90°

if i > c there is no refracted wavefront and incident plane wave AB undergoes

total refiection.
. n2
Then, smc=-
n1

<.lection of a plane wave using huygcn's principle:

lnridrnt

Page 1231
 Consider a plane wave front AB mc1 . "d ent at an ang le 1· on a reflecting surface
' XY ' . Let 'V' be the speed of light wave in the medium.
According to huygen's principle every pomt · on t he wave fr on t 'AB' is a source of
secondary wavelets.
Let the secondary wavelets from ' B' strikes the surface 'XY' at ' C ' in a time ' t'
then BC = Vt.
The secondary wavelet from ·A ' will travel the same distance AD = Vt in a same
time 't' draw an arc with ' A' as a centre. Then the tangent 'CD ' is the reflected
wavefront.

Let < BAC = i = angle of incidence

< DCA = r = angle of reflection
Then angle <ABC = <CDA = 90° and BC = AD
Therefore, triangles ABC and DCA are congruent
Hence, <BAC = < DCA
1.e., i = r Thus angle of incidence is equal to angle.

~aviour of a prism, lens and spherical mirror towards a plane

wavefront:
a. Refraction through a prism :
Consider a plane wave passing through a
glass prism. The speed of light is less in Inrirlent
glass than in air. The lower portion of the l'lane\vave
incident wavefront travels through a larger
thickness of glass and the upper portions
travel less in glass. Thus the lower portion
of the wavefront gets delayed. This causes a tilt in the emerging wavefront.

b. Behaviour of a lens :
Consider a plane wave incident on a
convex lens. The central part of the incident Inc:lcient
plane wave travels the thickest position of plancwavc
the lens and hence delayed. Hence the
emergent wavefront has a depression at the
centre of the wavefront becomes spherical '
with radius 'f. Spherical wavcfron~ ..._
of rn<llus f

Page I 232
 \ B,1 ht, ' it1\H ol· n ,'onn n ,. utln,11
\ \,11,\\l\'\ ,I pl,,11\' ";\\ 1' 1tl\· hh-lll ,,11
,
th\' , 11, \',I\ · l lw11, ,·1111\• 111 1h11
,.111111,,1 ,
\ \ ,I\ \'11\,1\111,1\ \' \ llw l,llf,''' d,._t,11\\ ,. 11 1
tl\\· \1 1'"-' '\' ' ,md tl\\' ll h ' lh\ h'd I h,•111lw
-p
"" hl• 11I

--·
\\\ ,\,h ,, '" P

•
rdh\ h'd \\ ,\\ ,•11,int \,,., ,,,11,· ~,ph,•111 ,d .

\\ h,•11 Ill\· ,, 1""' , · ,,1 llrh1 ,,1 ,1\l,,•,, ,., b 11111, 111~•- ,111· l:ih·, "·" d,,,111 11.,, ,. '"
lt,l\\'I h 11 h,11 1 •1•1 ,11 ,lh111,·1 111111· \,_ ., 1,·,1111111\' l\' '", h,11w1· i11 lt,·q1h·111·, 1,1 thr l11_1h1
11•1•1·1, ,·d t,~ 1\w ,,\1:--,'l\1' 1 1111:- 1" ""''"" .1, p,,ppk,, lk,·t. {, 1 1)

'\\ l'i1 • 01 111.111•1111'11,111.i.:•• ;,, IIH· It ,.,,,14•"•:l'

11/\ , l(i:l,i, ,·1·d1·,·d b 1· t/11· 11/i,1•11·,·r d111• t. 1
rlt,• i.•J,,11·r,· 1t1, 1r;,,,, t,,•111•,•,·11 ,, ' •'"' ,,,. 1•/ I(1..·bt ,,ud ,,,,,.,., ,.,., ,, , ,,11,·d />,,1 1I 1h·r
l'i)
\ ( ..
. ., ..

l'lh' ,11 111.11,·111 1t,·q11,•11, \ ,111111.' lir ht i111.· 1,•11,,·, \\h1'1\ tlh d,,1:1111.1.• b,·l\\11.'ll ,, 1111n· 11 1'
li~ht .111'1 11\,-,r, , ,·1 , k , 11.-.1,,·,
\'lw •'l'l'·"\'llt 11,·q11,•111, 111 th,· li!,•111 d1·,·11-.,,,,, \\h,11 th, d,,1.1111.,· h 'l\\1·,·11 ,,11111·,· ,,1·
lirln .md , 1l1 ,,·1, ,.,
Ill\ l\'.l,1·::- .
\\ l\\'I\ tlw s1\llh·1· 1ll h~•l11 II\\\\\' ' ,1\\ ,1) lt,111\ Ill\' ,11',,·1\\'l 1111· 1!111.·1 \\ .1, rti,111{
h.l\ ,' 1,1 tt.1, d ,11'1\'.1h·1 di,1,11w1.· 1,, l\'.\,·h tlw ,11 1,\·1 , 1.·1 ,md h1.·11,·,· 1:1k,• h11w 1.· 1 tiHH'.
l'l h 't,·l~H\· ll\\\111.·11,, 1111.-.Nn1.•d 1,, 1h,· ,,\,,,,,, n 1k1.·1,-.1,,·:-. I hi, d,·,·,,-.,,\., 111 ll\·q111·1":'
1'1 11\1.'1,-.,s,•s Ill \\,l\1.·k111-t1h d1111111· l)1'l'l'k1 ,·lh',·t 1s ,·nlkd ' 1,\\1 ,hill".
\\ h1.•11 1h,· ,, 1111, ,. ,,t' li1•h111111\ 1.·, \1' \\ ,11d-. ti\\' ,1l1,1.•1 , ,., l h1.·1,· 1s ,Ill 111,•1,·ns1.·s in
It ,•q111.·11,·, 1\1 d,•,·1,-.1,1.•s Ill\\ ,I\ ,·kl\flh d1w 1\ 1 I \ 1 ppk1 ,•th·, l I hi, i~ 1.\ilkd • Hh\1.'
:-hit\".

rl'iudpll\ of ~II lh'l'IW~i• ion

\,•1.•,11,hn~ h' 11111w1pl1.' 1. 1 t's11pl'l1'1.1,11i, 1n. \\ h1.'\l l \\1.1,,, 111111\· \\ ,1\1.'s ttil\l' ll ing
1h1,1,1~h tlh· 11 h·1hmn, :-:111'1.' rp,,s,· ,,,w .1 ,
.11\\ 1 \lh'\, ,I 111.·\\ \\ 1.' 1s t,111\11.:d II\ "h1d1 t'l.'sult,U\l
.,1
d i~pl:h·1.•11h'llt ~,, nm m:--t11111 ,s 1.•qn,1111 1 111,- , 1.·,-11, r ,111\1 ,\r
th1.· di-;p1.1,:1.·11wnt, ,,r
11\lll\ id11,II \\ ;I\ \' S
Y \ 11 \ , 1
••• • ••••• • • •• • • •••• \ N

I , ( 'onstt·m·tln• supl'l'pMltion \\ lh' I\ 1.·1,•,1 1. 1 1' ,,,w \\ .\\

1.' f.\lls 1,1\ th\' 1.· t\•sl ,,f Hh.·
1,11w1 '''" ,. ,,, \\ lh'I\ tlw t1,,,1~~h ,,t , 111.' "·'' 1.· l;\lb ,,n 1\w t1,,H~h ,,r 1h1.• ,,ttw 1
1
 . . . , d hence rnsultanl intensity
wave, then the resultant amphtudc mcrcascs an ·
111creascs. I hen the superposition is constructive.
i.e., Y Y1 1 Y2

. supcrpos1hon
2. Destructive . . : When t11c cres
, t o f' one• wave falls on the trough of
the other wave, then the resultant amplitude decreases and hence resultant
intensity decreases. Then the superposition i~ destructive.
J.C. , Y Y, Y2

Coherent source:
The source of light, which emits light waves of the same frequency, same
wavelength and in same phase or constant phase difference arc l.allcd "Coherent
Source". Two independent source of light cannot be coherent because even though
they may emit light '"'aves of equal wavelength and equal amplitude, they may not
have a constant phase difference

~ terference of light: [i,t-15, ::r-1'1j

~ The modijicatio11 in the distribution of light energy due to the superposition of
two or more light waves of same nature is called interference of light":J
Due to interference of Iight, alternating bright and dark bands arc observed and they
are called interference fringes or bands.

Eg: Colour pattern on the soap bubbles and colour pattern on oil spills on wet road.

Constructive and destructive interference:

1
- ~ Consider two light waves of the same frequenc) travelling in a medium in the
~ same direction. Let a, and a2 be the amplitude of the two waves. The displacement of
4
2' any particle in the medium due to these waves at any instant of time ' t' are,
y 1 = a 1 sin cot and y 2 = a2 sin (cot+ 8)
(:
I'i
,,i
where, 8 - phase difference between the waves
co = 2nf - angular frequency of the waves

According to principle of superposition of waves, the resultant displacement of the

particle is
Y = y, + Y2 = a1 sin rot + a2sin (cot+ o)

i
Page 1234 1
1
~
 = a 1 sin rot + a2 ( sin rot cos o + cos O)t sin b)
= a 1 sin rot+ a2 sin rot cos o+ a2 cos wt sin o
y = (a 1 + a 2 cos o) sin rot + a2 cos rot sin o

Let R cos 0 = (a1 + a2COS o) .................... . (1)

R sin e = a2 sin o .................... . (2)
Then, y = R cos e sin rot + R sin e cos wt
= R [sin rot cos e + cos rot sin e]
Therefore y=Rsin(rot+e ) ................. (3)
'
Equation (3) represents a simple harmonic vibration of amplitude r and angular
frequency ro. Squaring and adding eq (1) & (2)
2
R cos2 e + R 2 sin 2 e = (a 1 + a2 cos o/
+ (a2 sin 0)2
2
R (cos 2 e + sin2 e) = a 2 + a/cos 2 o+ 2 a1 a2cos
1 o+ al sin 2 o
2
R = ai2 +al+ 2 a 1 a2 cos o (or)
''i ~ ✓a~+ _5..:±: Z~a,ai;osi ) ________________ (4)
Thus the intensity of light is directly proportional to the square of the amplitude of
the wave, for sake of simplicity we assume equal to square of amplitude.

ondition for constructive interference: (_t-'1-, '5 J

When there is constructive interference, the amplitude is maximum and hence the
intensity is also maximum.

From the equation R = ✓a;+ a;-+ 2 a,afOS o

The resultant amplitude 'R' is maximum when cos o= + 1
i.e., o = 2nn where n = 0, 1,2,3 ............. n

Thus 'R' will be maximum when the phase difference between the two wave is even
multiple of n.
1..e ., o = o, 2n,4n,6n ........ .
Therefore For constructive interference, the phase difference between two light wave
must be equal to even multiple of n (or) the path difference between the waves must
be equal to even multiple of ~ where J.., is the wavelength of the light.

P3ge I 235
 The ma.:\innun amplitude is Rma--. - ,ta;~ a,: + 2 ~\a, = /(a,+ a..)-::. · n1 + tl~
TI1e ma2'..imum intcnsit} is Im_,--. a (a 1 + a1/

If ::i , =a_,= a. Rma--. = -u

1 .... ''-
t.'\;.
·1 ·1~
Ima--. -- '"t,

In such a case the wa,e are said to constructh t? intcrfcrem:c. since n:sultunt
amplitude is ma'Ximum it leads bright11css in light wnve(bright fringes).

Condition for destructive interference: [M - I€]

'''hen there is destructh e interference. th\.! amplitude is minimum nnd hence thl'
intensity is also minimum.

From the equation R = ,la;+ ai" + 2 c\a.:.cos o

The resultant amplitude 'R · is minimum" hen cos o = - l

i.e., o = (2n+ l)rr where n = 0. l.2.3 ............. n

Thus ·R · will be minimum ,,hen the phase di1forence bet\., ccn the two wove is odd
multiple of rr.
i.e .. o = rr.3n.51r .....
Therefore for destructive interference. the phase diITcrcnce between two light wave
must be equal to odd multiple of 1r ( or) U1e path difference between the waves must
be equal to odd multiple of ~2 where A. is the wavelength of U1e light.
The ma'Ximum amplitude is R 11m--. = ✓a;+ a~- 2 a,<½,= ✓ (a,- a.)':l. a
1
- a2
The maximum intensit} is Imo-. a (a 1 - a2i i
If a 1 = a2 = a, Rnm--. = 0 & Ima--.= 0
I

In such a case the wa\ e are said to destructive interference. since resultant I
amplitude is minimum it leads darkness in light wave(dnrk fringes).
I

I
~ ng's double slit experiment:
- C

'

Pngc I 236
 The phenomenon of interference of light was first experimentally demonstrated by
Thomas young in 180 I. The experimental arrangement is as shovm in the above
figure.The light coming from the monochromatic source is made to fall on the narrov\
slit 'S'. the light emerged from the narrow slit ·s' is made to fall on the two narrow
and parallel slits S1 & S2 placed close to each other. The two slits are parallel to Sand
equidistant from S. then t\¥0 slits S1 & S2 acts as two coherent source of light of same
intensity. The cylindrical waves emerging from S1 & S2 interference each other and
produce interference pattern on the screen. The interference pattern consists of
alternating bright and dark bands of equal width. They are called interference bands
~nges.

'E width of interference fringe is given by ~~~

·where, A- wavelength oflight, d- distance between the slits and
D - distance between slits and screen.

Intensity distribution curve for interference:

The variation of intensity with phase difference is shown in below figure.

11111111

D. 2A It, 0 D. 2 ). ~i I.

-.. Path <.liffn1wt•

The intensity of light is maximum at the point or constructive interference or the

phase difference between two wave is equal to even multiple of rr.
The intensity of light is minimum nt the point of dcstrm:tive interference or the
phase difference between two wave is equal to odd multipk of rr. All bright fringes
have maximum intensity and equal width. All dark fringes have zero intensity and
equal width. I lowevcr energy is neither be created at the point of maximum intensity
nor bt..• destroyed at the point of' minimum intensity.

Pagel237
 " l'f1c· l'ltr,1,J111,•111111 of i,,•11tl111J: r,f 11;.:ltr r1r,11111,I tit(' r•tl,:t' \ of \11w/l tdl\t11l/r,
tn,t/ em,•dnJ: 111111 '"" ,rgwn oj ,:romr1, ti'ttl ,1u11/,1w H < ,,llrd rll//1111. 1111n of l1g1tr•.

11w dtllllh.. tlon 11hc-m111,c11,•11, c\l11h1h ti IJ) the ttll tile 1\pt of ",tt<.. w.Ji u
so1111d ""' c~. h~•hr ,,~\ l! 1. rnuth.:r \\ n c, c1~. I lie 11110um ofhcnd1n 1 d pend on ti
:-.11t ut llic oll\tnc.:lc'> md "''' ck11l'lh ul the \\,1\ c I hew t\clcn 1 th of light { IC, m,
!-. \ d) &1111111 co1111>.11c-c1 to the fii1,c ,)1 o,din,tr) oh ,I ,clc wd upc11urc Jhcreforc
d1l11nc1ton ,11 light is nnt c-,1~il~ not1u.· m drul\ Ille

I he \\,1H• k11g1h ol !,OUnd "u,c i~ \Cl) I 11 •c Clllllp,arc<l to th11t of l1 'hl \ViJ.\C I lcnc
~ound ".J\ C'S bend 1'<:Hmd Ilic cvrnc, nl hutldmr nnd other c,h1cct h 1\ m l1irg r
dnn1..'ll!\10n

l) i ff r.H.· t ion o l' Ii~ h t a t :t , rn f.! k !-i fit :

Con~ide1 ,1 pnmlkl bc,un oflight or a pl me

',\,l\<.•tmnt oJ "U\\.'ll'11gth • ).'111c:1dtnt 011 n
mul!o,, slit 'AH' uf,"lhh 'd'. th~ lighl ,~
d10mch:d h~ on ,mgk· o runl 101..11,mr on o
_J ~__. ____...,.... ~
:;.__ _,..TaC
• To P

rrumS
• 1.:1e1..n \\llh th"· help ut com~x kn., ' I· lltl"
cl1flnt.•t,un J''l.llfcm ob1nu1ed on n :,t,-c..:n - · .d itlr--1"~-----•
dr'-rcns,ng 111tc1h1t) on ci1hl·1 ~idt'
A\:tordm • to I h1} flt'Jl ·~ p1 inripk, ~, '-'': flt.Hilt
on the ~>I me "UH" front ·AB' im:idl·nt on lh\.'
· ht t:•nd oul scco11d,,r) \\,I\ l.'lcts I hc·-.c ,econdnJ) \\tt,clcts •,upcrpoi:.c to produce
d1iTmC"11on p.m~m on lhL· Sl'r'e~n
I he rnleU'l.itt) <ii hg,ht m d10c1 clll flvlllls on lhc ct'(·t:n depend-, on the p:Hh ddTcren~c
br1,,een 1hc ccond U) \\li\Ch_.,, 1x.·.1chmr the 1,oinh n,c p:uh d1f1cr"·nce lN:l\\d!II the
~e\:vndtf"\ \\u\i:h:h foom A and n n:nchint• .. ,,oiut ·11· cqu.1l 10 ·BN'
· ~--~ 11 , F~
~J 0

0
From the ~ANB,

. R\' . BX
s1n 0
.
= AB ⇒ s1n 0 = d ⇒ B.\ = d sm 0., I () c)...,.Jv- ,J o,F' &v\._
·

where·ct ' is the width of the slit , ,'\

1. Intensity at the centre •o' of the screen :

All the secondar y wa, elets reaching the centre ·o· on the screen are m same
phase. Because the angle of diffraction is zero. TI1erefore the seconda t) wavelets
Superpose constric th el) with ench otiu~r nt ·o· and produce maximu m intensit: at
·o·. The bright band at ·o· is called principal maximum (or) central maximum.
2. lntesity at a point 'p' :
If dsin0=A .
The path difference between secondlli) wa\'elets from A and B is equal to in
reaching the point ·p·. Let the \Yavefront ·AB· is di\ ided into t\\ o equal parts AC
anu CB. Then the path difference bet\, een the secondru: wa\elets originat in~ _ r--
11
yt~ \u ' ' ~ 6._
from correspo nding points of t\\O parts of the slits is ~. ( l· e..
As a result destructive interference takes place and the point ·p· is of mi6.imum
intensity. It is called first minimum. Similar\) . if the path difference. J,sm 0 = 4 ) ..
then again the intensit) on the screen is minimum It is called secondru :
minimum. In general. condition for minima.

dsin0 = nA.

where, n= l, 2. 3 .......... .......... .. 3.

3. lntensi~• at point 'q':
. 0 =3J
d Sin -
lf, 2
i.e., The path difference bet\\'een the secondai;. wavelets emergin g from ·A· and
'B' is ~;i,
2
Then the wave front AB is di, ided into three equal parts. The secondar y "ayes
from the corresponding points of first two parts is and hence the) annul each
other.
But the wavelets emerging from the third part will produce some intensil) at
·Q'. This intensity is very much less than at point ·Q'. The point Q is called first
secondary maximum.

Page I 241
 Similarly, the scrnndwy maximum jr, locall·d 011 1hr scn:cn when the path
di m:n.:ncc is 54
2

In general, the condition for .secondary maxima is

d sin O = ( 2 11 ·, I) ~
2
\\here, n- l, 2: 3. ......... .. ... ... .... .. .
1or small 'O'sinO -::: U li

lhercforc.. <10 ( 2 11 +- I)~

2

/.,. I/ = (2 "2: I);.

,h,..N\:·hus the diffrnction pattern con.)ists of central maxima and alternate minima and
secondary maxima. ·1he intensit) distribution curve is shown in the figure.
lnlC'lSily

Di1:an<;t froir.
!he cenlrt

✓ Width of central maxima:

"The width o/the ce11trnl maximum is the rlista11ce between tire first minimum
011 either side oftlte central maximum".

Let 'd' be the width of the slit.

dsm0 = n).
but n= 1 for I minima Therefore dsin 0 =;.

sin 0 =~
d

Therefore, 0 == ~ ............................... (1)

Also , 0 == ~ ................................ (2)
 Where, x=distanc~ of the I minimum from the central maxima D=the distance of the
screen from the slit.
From equation (1) and (2)
A
--" = -
D d
).I)
x =-
d
The width of the central maxima = 2x
2x = 2JiD
d
If the lens Lis placed very close to the slit, the f=D
Linear width of the central maxima = 2x = 2 ),,f
d
where, f is the focal length of lens.

"""'
V 'l>ifference between interference and diffraction: [..J"--1 ';f_J

SL.NO INTERFERNCE DIFFRACTION

1 Interference is due to Diffraction is due to superposition of
superposition of two or secondary wavelets coming from
more waves corning from different points of the same wavefront
t\:vo coherent sources

2 Bright and dark fringes have Diffraction bands are having unequal
equal width width.

3 Intensity of all bright The intensity of secondary maxima

fringes is same decreases with increase in order. The
central maxima has highest intensity.

4 There is a good contrast There is a poor contrast between bright

between maxima and and dark bands.
minima

5 The interference of fringes The diffraction bands are few in

are larger in number. number.

Page I 243