(Rise Up) - Wave Optics

WAVE OPTICS
Particle Nature Vs Wave Nature
Light behaves as a wave as well as particle.

Particle nature or Wave nature In 1678, Huygens published
Christiaan Huygens Treatise on Light, suggesting that
(1629 - 1695) Light is a wave phenomenon
Straight line because wavelength of light is much

smaller than the dimensions of obstacles in its path.
Wavefront
Contour of all particles which are vibrating in same phase
A surface joining the points of same phase.

Wavefront The propagation of wave happens in
the direction perpendicular to the wavefront.
λ
Light rays
Wavefronts
Shape of Wavefront ?
Wavefront
Contour of all particles which are vibrating in same phase
Spherical Wavefront
Wavefront
Planar Wavefront
Rays are perpendicular to wavefronts.
The time taken by light to travel from one

wavefront to another is same along any line.
Types of Wavefront Plane
Spherical Cylindrical
wavefront
wavefront wavefront
Point source Line source Source at ∞
Important points
1. Rays are perpendicular to wavefronts.

2. The time taken by light to travel from
one wavefront to another is same along any line.
Huygen’s Principle
1. Every point on a wavefront vibrates in same phase

with same frequency.
Spherical Wavefront Planar Wavefront
S
2. Every point on a wavefront acts like a secondary source of

light and sends out a spherical wave called Secondary Wave
in direction of wave propagation.


Disturbance beyond this

surface results from
superposition of these
Secondary Wavelets.
Envelope of all these

secondary wavelets is
displaced outwardly

3. Wavefronts move in space with the velocity of wave in that medium.

1. Every point on a wavefront vibrates

in same phase with same frequency.
2. Every point on a wavefront acts like a

secondary source of light and sends out
a spherical wave called Secondary
Wave in direction of wave propagation.
3. Wavefronts move in space with the

velocity of wave in that medium.
Reflection based on Wave Theory
Incident wavefront
3
B
2
1 i
M1 A M2
Incident wavefront Reflected wavefront

3 3'
B B'
2 2’
1 1’
i r
i r
M1 A A' M2
BA’ = c x t 1
AB’ = c x t 2
Δ AA’B is congruent with Δ A’AB’
Incident Reflected
wavefront wavefront AB’ = BA’ = ct
3 3'
B'
B ∠ABA’ = ∠A’B’A = 900
2 2’
1 1’ AA’ is common
i r
i r
M1 A A' M2 Hence ∠i = ∠r
Since incident wavefront, plane of mirror, and reflected wavefront

are perpendicular to the plane of the paper.
Therefore, incident ray, normal to mirror and reflected ray

all lie in the same plane (plane of paper).
Spherical wavefronts shown in figure, strike a plane mirror.
Reflected wavefront will be as shown in
A. B.
C. D.
Refraction based on Wave Theory
i
Med1 μ1 A
Med2 μ2
i
Med1 μ1 A
Med2 μ2
Wavefronts incident on an interface between the media
are shown in the figure. The refracted wavefront will be
μ=1
450 300 300
A. B.
μ = √2
600 600
C. D.
Figure shows a wavefront passing through an unknown
optical system and emerging as another wavefront on right.
The systems could be -
A. a prism
B. a convergent lens
??
C. a divergent lens
D. a mirror
Huygen’s Wave Theory
Total time taken by the light ray from one wavefront to

another wavefront along any light ray will be same
Young’s Double Slit Experiment
P Δx = S2P - S1P = ?
S1
distance
Screen
between d
the slits
(sources)
S2
D
Distance between
the Slits and Screen
Δx = S2P - S1P
S1
d
M
S2
S1P and S2P are almost parallel as D >> d

Δx = d Sinθ
P Since D >> d
S1 y
θ
d θ
S2
D
For nth maxima Δx = ?

Constructive Interference
1. Condition for Maxima
Interference
1. Condition for Maxima / Constructive Interference
CosΦ = +1 OR Φ = 2nπ OR ∆x = nλ
n = 0, 1, 2, ....
2. Condition for Minima / Destructive Interference
CosΦ = -1 OR Φ = (2n - 1)π OR ∆x = (n - ½ )λ

Relation between Φ and x
Relation between phase difference (Φ) and path difference (Δx) is
For nth maxima Δx = nλ
For nth minima Δx = ?

Screen For nth maxima
3 Bright
2 Bright
n = 0, ± 1, ± 2…...
1 Bright
y1 : distance of first bright
fringe from centre O
1 Bright
2 Bright y2 : distance of second bright

3 Bright
y7 : distance of seventh bright
For nth minima
Screen
4 Dark
3 Dark
2 Dark n = 1, 2, 3…...
1 Dark
y1 : distance of first dark
1 Dark
2 Dark
y2 : distance of second dark
3 Dark fringe from centre O
4 Dark
y7 : distance of seventh dark
Fringe width β
Distance between two successive maxima or minima.
Bright fringe Dark fringe

β = yn+1 - yn
β β
[JEE Main -Jan 2023]
In Young's double slit experiment the two slits are 0.6 mm distance
apart. Interference pattern is observed on a screen at a distance 80
cm from the slits. The first dark fringe is observed on the screen
directly opposite to one of the slits. The wavelength of light will
be___nm.
JEE Main 2022 (June)
Interference of Light Waves
S1 A1
∆Φ = Φ
P
S2 A2
The The two light beams having intensities I and 9I interfere
to produce a fringe pattern on a screen. The phase difference
between the beams is π/2 at point P and π at point Q. Then
the difference between the resultant intensities at P and Q
will be:
A. 2 I
B. 6 I
C. 5 I
D. 7 I
Interference of Light Waves
If slits of equal sizes are used then I1 = I2 = I0

Intensity Variation in YDSE
In general, at any other point
If slits of equal sizes are used

I
∆x =
d sinθ
-3λ/2 -λ -λ/2 0 λ/2 λ 3λ/2 2λ 5λ/2
Φ
Interference If slits of unequal sizes are used
then I1 ≠ I2 ≠ I0
1. for Maxima / Constructive Interference
2. for Minima / Destructive Interference

I
Imax = I1 + I2 + 2√I1I2
Imin = I1 + I2 - 2√I1I2
π 2π 3π 4π Φ
In interference, the intensity

in a maximum (√I1 + √I2)2 greater than (I1 + I2) by 2√(I1I2),
while in minimum (√I1 - √I2)2 less than (I1 + I2)by 2√(I1I2).
Eg I1 = Io & I2 = 4Io
I
Imax = I1 + I2 + 2√I1I2
Imin = I1 + I2 - 2√I1I2
π 2π 3π 4π Φ
Two beams of light having intensities I and 4I interfere to
produce a fringe pattern on a screen. The phase difference
between the two beams are π/2 and π/3 at points A and B
respectively. The difference between the resultant intensities
at the two points is xI. The value of x will be
JEE Main 2022 (July)

The interference pattern is obtained with two coherent light
sources of intensity ratio 4 :1. And the ratio
is. Then, the value of x will be equal to :
A. 3
B. 4
C. 2
D. 1
Fringe Visibility
Fringe Visibility
i.e. when both slits are of equal width

the fringe visibility is best and equal to 100 %
Eg I 1 = I2 = Io Eg I1 = Io & I2 = 4Io
Two coherent sources of light interfere. The intensity ratio of
two sources is 1:4. For this interference pattern if the value of
is equal to ,then will be :
A. 1.5
B. 2
C. 0.5
D. 1
Order of Maxima on Screen
Δx = d sinθ
S1
d/2
θ
d/2
S2
Order of Maxima on Screen
Hence, the highest order of interference maxima,
While [ ] represents the greatest integer function

The maximum number of possible interference maxima for slit-
separation equal to twice the wavelength in Young’s double-slit
experiment is
[AIEEE 2004]
A. three
B. five
C. infinite
D. zero
Points about YDSE
1. If one of the slits is covered up, fringes disappear

Points about YDSE
1. If one of the slits is covered up, fringes disappear
Single - slit pattern Double - slit pattern

Points about YDSE
2. Fringe width is independent of n i.e.

all the interference fringes have same width in experiments
Bright fringe Dark fringe
β β
Points about YDSE
3. Fringe width is inversely proportional to the separation

between the slits.
Points about YDSE
4. Fringe width is directly proportional to the wavelength of light
Fringes for red light are wider than blue light.

Using Young's double slit experiment, monochromatic light of
wavelength 5000 Å produces fringes of fringe width 0.5 mm. If
another monochromatic light of wavelength 6000Å is used and
the separation between the slits is doubled, then the new
fringe width will be :
A. 0.5 mm
B. 1.0 mm
C. 0.6 mm
D. 0.3 mm
Points about YDSE
5. With increase in distance between screen and slits (D),

fringe width (β) increases linearly.
However intensity of light decreases.

Points about YDSE
6. If intensity of two sources are equal then only a dark fringe will
be observed.
Imax = 4I0 and Imin = 0
A Young’s double slit experiment uses a monochromatic
source. The shape of the interference fringes formed on a
screen is [2005]
A. circle B. hyperbola C. parabola D. straight line

Points about YDSE
7. Shape of the interference pattern is Hyperbolic

A Hyperbola with its two foci at S1 and S2
Y
S1 Δx = 3λ
Δx = 2λ
Δx = λ
X
Δx = 0
Δx = -λ
S2 Δx = -2λ
Points about YDSE
Shape of the interference pattern is Hyperbolic

Two coherent point sources S1 and S2 are separated by a
small distance 'd' as shown. The fringes obtained on the
screen will be [JEE Main 2013]
A. points
d
B. straight lines
S1 S2 C. semi-circles
D
D. concentric circles
Points about YDSE
Shape of the interference pattern is Hyperbolic

When light is refracted into a medium
A. its wavelength and frequency remain

unchanged
B. its wavelength increases but frequency
remains unchanged
C. its wavelength decreases but frequency
remains unchanged
D. its wavelength and frequency both
decrease
Points about YDSE
8. If the experiment is performed in a medium of refractive index μ,

the wavelength of light changes
Points about YDSE
8. If the experiment is performed in a medium of refractive index μ,

the wavelength of light changes from λ to λ/μ.
λν = v
λ’ν = v’
So,
fringe width reduces & becomes
1/μ times its value in air.
In young’s double slit experiment, the fringe width is 12mm. If
the entire arrangement is placed in water of refractive index
4/3, then the fringe width becomes (in mm)
A. 16
B. 9
C. 48
D. 12
Points about YDSE
9. The initial phase difference between interfering waves must

remain constant otherwise interference will not sustain.
Hence using coherent sources is necessary.
Points about YDSE
Monochromatic
10. Light used must be monochromatic.
For white light, pattern for each

participating wavelength will be
observed but at different positions
(due to diff. λ value).
Polychromatic
Points about YDSE
10. Light used must be monochromatic.
For polychromatic light the pattern on the screen will be overlapped by

different wavelengths.
If white light is used the central fringe is white.

The coloured fringe (maxima) nearest to central is blue & farthest is red.
Path Difference due to a Slab
t
Time taken in slab = t1 = t/c’ =
μ
S1
Time taken in vacuum = t2 =
S2
During this time ray in vacuum travels by

Path Difference due to a Slab
t Path difference created by slab
μ
S1
Δx = (μ - 1) t
S2
When two light waves arrive at a point

after travelling different distances in different media,
the phase difference between the two is related by
optical path difference instead of geometrical path difference.
YDSE with thin Slab If Slab is placed in front of S2
What happens to the Fringe pattern on the screen?
P Geometrical path difference at

S1 P?
y
θ
S2 μ Optical path difference at P?

t
D
YDSE with transparent film
Fringe pattern shifts in the direction which film is placed.
Net optical path difference at P
P
Δx = d sin θ + t(μ - 1)
S1
y
Condn for Maxima Δx =
θ
S2 μ
t
D
In young's double slit experiment performed using a monochromatic light
of wavelength λ, when a at glass plate (μ=1.5) on of thickness xλ is
introduced in the path of the one of the interfering beams, the intensity
at the position where the central maximum occurred previously remains
unchanged. The value of x will be:
A. 0.5
B. 1.5
C. 2
D. 3
Fresnel Biprism The arrangement is equivalent to a YDSE with
S1 & S2 acting as two slits.
A1
∝
S B
C
A2
a b
D
Fresnel Biprism A1 P
S1
∝ Q
d S C B
∝ R
S2 T
A2
a b
D
Distance between source and biprism = a
Distance between biprism and eye piece (screen) = b
The distance between source and screen D = a + b
Refracting angle = ∝ ,
refractive index of the material of prism = μ
The distance between two coherent source = d
Interference at thin films
Thin layer of oil on water surface of soap bubble

Reflection & Transmission of Waves
Reflection: from Fixed End
➔ The reflected wave has a phase reversal (phase change of π or 180o).
Fixed end
Reflection: from Free End
➔ The reflected wave is in phase.
Free end
Transmission: from Rarer to Denser
➔ If a wave enters a region where

wave velocity is smaller (denser medium),
the reflected wave is inverted.
➔ Similar to reflection from Fixed End.
➔ The transmitted wave is not inverted.

Transmission: from Denser to Rarer
➔ If it enters a region where

the wave velocity is larger (lighter medium)
reflected wave is not inverted.
➔ Similar to reflection from Free End.
➔ The transmitted wave is never inverted.

A ray of light I is incident on a thin film. M and N are two
reflected rays if n2 > n1 phase difference between I and M is
Ⅰ M N A. 0
n1
B. π/4
n2 C. π/2
D. π
n1
reflected rays if n2 > n1 phase difference between I and N is
Ⅰ M N A. 0
n1
B. π/4
n2 C. π/2
D. π
n1
reflected rays if n3 > n2 > n1 phase difference between P and N is
A. π/4
Ⅰ M N B. π/2
n1
Ⅰ
C. π
n2
Ⅱ D. None of these
n3
P
Interference at thin films
thin soap film

Interference at Thin Films
Consider a film of uniform thickness t and refractive index μ.

Let light ray incident is nearly normal to the two surfaces of the film.
Film
μ t
Interference at Thin Films Consider interference of light reflected
from upper & lower surfaces of the film.
The geometrical path difference

between these two light waves is
1 2
Air The corresponding optical path

Film difference is
μ t
Air
Interference from thin films
1. Optical path difference between
these two light waves is 2μt
1 2 2. When wave is reflected from a denser
medium, it undergoes a phase change of 1800.
Air Hence,
phase difference between rays 1 & 2 is
Film
t 180
0
μ
Air condition for Constructive Interference ?
condition for Destructive Interference ?

Interference from thin films
1
condition for Constructive Interference
2
n = 1, 2, 3…...
Air
Film
μ θ t
Air condition for Destructive Interference
2μt Cosθ = nλ n = 0, 1, 2…...

Newton’s Rings
Newton's rings appear as a series of concentric,
alternating bright and dark rings centered at the
point of contact between the two surfaces.
Newton’s Rings
The two pieces of glass make contact only at the center,
at other points there is a slight air gap between the two

surfaces, increasing with radial distance from the center.
Newton’s Rings
Because of the 180°

phase reversal
due to reflection of
the bottom ray,
the center where

the two pieces touch is dark.
A thin slice is cut out of a glass cylinder along a plane
parallel to its axis. The slice is placed on a flat glass plate as
shown. The observed interference fringes from this
combination shall be [1999]
A. circular
B. having fringe spacing which
increases as we go inwards
C. equally spaced
D. having fringe spacing which
increases as we go outwards
Lloyd’s Mirror If light from S1 falls on mirror M
at grazing incidence, P
S1
O
Mirror
a virtual image S2 is formed very close to S1

and these two acts as coherent sources.
Expression for fringe width is same as that for double slit

but fringe pattern differs in one important aspect.
Lloyd’s Mirror Expression for fringe width is same as that for
double slit but fringe pattern differs in one
P
important aspect.
S1
O
d
S2 Mirror
● Central Bright Spot or Central Maxima is absent at O.
● No interference pattern below O.
● If at point P on screen, path difference Δx = S2P - S1P is integral

multiple of wavelength, fringe at P is dark not bright.
Lloyd’s Mirror Due to 1800 phase change which occurs
when light is reflected from denser medium.
We have to add an extra half wavelength to

the path of reflected wave.
S1
Hence, points on screen where geometrical path difference

between direct & reflected waves is nλ, is a Dark Spot.
Thus condition for maxima & minima are interchanged.

Lloyd’s Mirror
Due to 1800 phase change which occurs
P when light is reflected from denser medium.
S1
O
d
S2 Mirror
Condition for maxima & minima are interchanged.
For nth minima Δx = nλ For nth maxima Δx = (n - ½)λ
n = 1, 2, 3…... n = 1, 2, 3…...
Resolving Power of a Microscope
In reference to a microscope, the minimum distance between two

lines at which they are just distinct is called Resolving Limit (RL)
and its reciprocal is called Resolving Power (RP)
Resolving Power of a Microscope
RP of microscope =
Depends on the Wavelength λ of the

light, Refractive index μ of the medium
between the object and the objective of
the microscope.
Objective
⇒
θ θ
Object
Resolving Power of a Telescope
Objective
dθ
Smaller the value of dθ, greater will

be resolving power of telescope.
R.P of telescope =
The aperture of the objective is 24.4 cm. The resolving
power of this telescope. If a light of wavelength 2440 Å is
used to see the object will be
A. 8.1 × 106
B. 10.0 x 107
C. 8.2 × 105
D. 1.0 x 10-8
Diffraction
The phenomenon of bending of light around corners
of an obstacle or aperture in the path of light.
Diffraction using Huygen’s Theory
Diffraction of Light Light deviates from its linear path.
wavelets from secondary sources superpose

and resulting wavefront has different shape.
Incident
wavefront
Screen
obstacle
Single Slit Diffraction
Fraunhofer Diffraction
S P0
a
C
A In general, for dark fringe
a sin θ = n λ
a/2
Condition for Destructive Interference or Minima
B
and for first minimum
C
most of the diffracted light is

distributed between sin θ = -λ/a and +λ/a
2λ/a 2λD/a
λ/a λD/a
A
0
-λ/a -λD/a
C
sin θ y
Sodium light of wavelengths 650 nm and 655 nm is used to
study diffraction at a single slit of aperture 0.5mm. The
distance between the slit and the screen is 2.0 m. The
separation between the positions of the first maxima of
diffraction pattern obtained in the two cases is_____ × 10-5 m

Malus’ Law Polarized light
Unpolarized light
P1 P2
An unpolarised light beam of intensity 2I0 is passed through a
polaroid P and then through another polaroid Q which is
oriented in such a way that its passing axis makes an angle of
30° relative to that of P. The intensity of the emergent light is
A. I0/3
B. I0/2
C. 3I0/4
D. 3I0/2
Brewster’s Law
If angle of incidence of which the reflected light is completely plane

polarized is called Polarizing angle or Brewster’s angle.
Incident ray Reflected ray
(unpolarized) N (polarized)
A Rare B
iP
X Y
Dense (μ) r
Refracted ray
(slightly polarized)
Brewster’s Law
Incident ray
N
(unpolarized)
A Rare
iP
X Y
Dense (μ)
N’
μ = √3. Find ‘r’ if unpolarized light is incident on it
at polarizing angle (iP) for the medium
A. 30o
B. 45o
C. 60o
D. 90o
A light whose electric field vectors are completely removed
by using a good Polaroid, allowed to incident on the surface
of the prism at Brewster's angle. Choose the most suitable
option for the phenomenon related to the prism.
A. Reflected and refracted rays will

perpendicular to each other
B. Wave will propagate along the
surface of prism
C. No refraction, and there will be total
reflection of light.
D. No reflection and there will be total
transmission of light
Ans: D
Ans: 24
Ans: 7
Ans: 4
Ans: A
In a Young's double slit experiment, an angular width of the
fringe is 0.35° on a screen placed at 2 m away for particular
wavelength of 450 nm. The angular width of the fringe, when
whole system is immersed in a medium of refractive index
7/5, is 1/α. The value of α is ____
Ans: 4
Time taken by light to travel in two different materials A and B
of refractive indices μA and μB of same thickness is t1 and t₂
respectively. If t₂- t₁ = 5 × 10-10 s and the ratio of μA to μB is 1 : 2.
Then the thickness of material, in meter is : (Given VA and VB are
velocities of light in A and B materials respectively).
A. 5 × 10-10 vAm
B. 5 × 10-10 m
C. 1.5 × 10-10 m
D. 5 × 10-10 vBm
Ans: A
Ans: A
In a Young's double slit experiment, a laser light of 560 nm
produces an interference pattern with consecutive bright
fringes' separation of 7.2 mm. Now another light is used to
produce an interference pattern with bright fringes' separation
of 8.1 mm. The wavelength of second light is___ nm
Ans: 630
In a double slit experiment with monochromatic light, fringes
are obtained on a screen placed at some distance from the
plane of slits. If the screen is moved by 5 x 10-2 m towards the
slits, the change in fringe width is 3 x 10-3 cm. If distance
between the slits is 1 mm, then the wavelength of the light
will be____ nm.
Ans: 600
In Young's double slit experiment the two slits are 0.6 mm distance
apart. Interference pattern is observed on a screen at a distance 80
cm from the slits. The first dark fringe is observed on the screen
directly opposite to one of the slits. The wavelength of light will
be___nm.
Ans: 450
In a Young's double slit experiment, an angular width of the
fringe is 0.35° on a screen placed at 2 m away for particular
wavelength of 450 nm. The angular width of the fringe, when
whole system is immersed in a medium of refractive index
7/5, is 1/α. The value of α is ____
Ans: 4
Two beams of light having intensities I and 4I interfere to
produce a fringe pattern on a screen. The phase difference
between the two beams are π/2 and π/3 at points A and B
respectively. The difference between the resultant intensities
at the two points is xI. The value of x will be
Ans: 2
Ans: 3
The Young's double slit experiment is performed with blue and
with green light of wavelengths 4360 Å and 5460 Å respectively.
If X is the distance of 4th maximum from the central one, then
A. X (blue) = X (green)
B. X (blue) > X (green)
C. X (blue) < X (green)
D. X (blue) / X (green) = 5460 / 4360
Ans: C
In young's double slit experiment performed using a
monochromatic light of wavelength λ, when a at glass plate
(μ=1.5) on of thickness xλ is introduced in the path of the one of
the interfering beams, the intensity at the position where the
central maximum occurred previously remains unchanged. The
value of x will be:
A. 0.5
B. 1.5
C. 2
D. 3
Ans: C
Ans: 10
For a specific wavelength 670 nm of light coming from a galaxy
moving with velocity v, the observed wavelength is 670.7 nm.
The value of v is:
A. 3 x 108 ms-1
B. 3 x 1010 ms-1
C. 3.13 × 105 ms-1
D. 4.48 x 105 ms-¹
Ans: C
In free space, an electromagnetic wave of 3 GHz of 3 GHz
frequency strikes over the edge of an object of size λ/100,
where λ is the wavelength of the wave in free space. The
phenomenon, which happens there will be
A. Reflection
B. Refraction
C. Diffraction
D. Scattering
Ans: D
Ans: B
The figure shows a surface XY separating two transparent media,
medium-1 and medium-2. The line ab and cd represent waveforms
of a light wave travelling in medium-1 and incident on XY. The
lines ef and gh represent wavefronts of the light wave in medium-
2 after refraction [IIT JEE 2007]
b d
medium - 1
a c
X Y
f h
medium - 2
e g
Light travels as a
b d
A. parallel beam in each medium
medium - 1 B. convergent beam in each medium
a c C. divergent beam in each medium

X Y
f h D. divergent beam in one medium and
convergent beam in the other medium.
medium - 2
e g
Ans : A
The phases of the light wave at c, d, e and f
are Φc , Φd , Φe and Φf respectively. It is given that Φc ≠ Φf
b d
A. Φc cannot be equal to Φd
medium - 1 B. Φd can be equal to Φe
a c C. (Φd – Φf ) is equal to (Φc – Φe )

X Y
f h D. (Φd – Φc ) is not equal to (Φf – Φe )
medium - 2
e g
Ans : C
Speed of light is
b d
A. the same in medium-1 and medium-2
medium - 1 B. larger in medium-1 than in medium-2
a c C. larger in medium-2 than in medium-1

X Y
f h D. different at b and d
medium - 2
e g
Ans : B
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WAVE OPTICS

Particle Nature Vs Wave Nature

Light behaves as a wave as well as particle.

Christiaan Huygens Treatise on Light, suggesting that

(1629 - 1695) Light is a wave phenomenon

Straight line because wavelength of light is much

Contour of all particles which are vibrating in same phase

A surface joining the points of same phase.

Contour of all particles which are vibrating in same phase

Rays are perpendicular to wavefronts.

The time taken by light to travel from one

Point source Line source Source at ∞

1. Rays are perpendicular to wavefronts.

1. Every point on a wavefront vibrates in same phase

Spherical Wavefront Planar Wavefront

2. Every point on a wavefront acts like a secondary source of

2. Every point on a wavefront acts like a secondary source of

2. Every point on a wavefront acts like a secondary source of

Disturbance beyond this

Envelope of all these

2. Every point on a wavefront acts like a secondary source of

3. Wavefronts move in space with the velocity of wave in that medium.

1. Every point on a wavefront vibrates

2. Every point on a wavefront acts like a

3. Wavefronts move in space with the

Incident wavefront Reflected wavefront

Since incident wavefront, plane of mirror, and reflected wavefront

Therefore, incident ray, normal to mirror and reflected ray

Total time taken by the light ray from one wavefront to

S1P and S2P are almost parallel as D >> d

For nth maxima Δx = ?

1. Condition for Maxima / Constructive Interference

2. Condition for Minima / Destructive Interference

CosΦ = -1 OR Φ = (2n - 1)π OR ∆x = (n - ½ )λ

For nth maxima Δx = nλ

For nth minima Δx = ?

2 Bright y2 : distance of second bright

Distance between two successive maxima or minima.

Bright fringe Dark fringe

If slits of equal sizes are used then I1 = I2 = I0

In general, at any other point

If slits of equal sizes are used

1. for Maxima / Constructive Interference

2. for Minima / Destructive Interference

In interference, the intensity

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sources of intensity ratio 4 :1. And the ratio

is. Then, the value of x will be equal to :

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i.e. when both slits are of equal width

is equal to ,then will be :

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Hence, the highest order of interference maxima,

While [ ] represents the greatest integer function

1. If one of the slits is covered up, fringes disappear

1. If one of the slits is covered up, fringes disappear

Single - slit pattern Double - slit pattern