10 Engineering Physics

projections of all vectors a along the x-direction and add it to the square of the corresponding sum along the
y-direction. The summation of projections along x-direction are given by the following expression
a(cos f1 + cos f2 + cos f3 + ... + cos fn)

y
a f3
f2
A a
a
f1

O X

Figure 1.9

The square of quantity in the parentheses gives the terms of the form cos2 f1, 2 cos f1 cos f2, etc. It is seen that
the sum of these cross product terms increases approximately in proportion to number n. So we do not obtain
a definite result with one given array of arbitrarily distributed waves. For a large number of such arrays, we
find their average effect in computing the intensity in any physical problem. Under this situation, it is safe to
conclude that these cross product terms will average to zero. So we consider only the cos2 f terms. Similarly,
for the y projections of the vectors we obtain sin2 f terms. With this we have
I ª A2 = a2(cos2 f1 + cos2 f2 + cos2 f3 + ... + cos2 fn) + a2(sin2 f1 + sin2 f2 + sin2 f3 + ... + sin2 fn).
Using the identity sin2 fp + cos2 fp = 1, the above expression reduces to I ª a2 ¥ n.
Since a2 is the intensity due to a single wave, the above relation shows that the average intensity resulting
from the superposition of n waves with arbitrary phases is n times of a single wave. It means the resultant
amplitude A increases in proportion with in length as n gets increased.

1.9 interferenCe bY DivisiOn Of WavefrOnt LO6

This method uses multiple slits, lenses, prisms or mirrors for dividing a single wavefront laterally to form
two smaller segments that can interfere with each other. In the division of a wavefront, the interfering beams
of radiation that left the source in different directions and some optical means is used to bring the beams
back together. This method is useful with small sources. Double slit experiment is an excellent example of
interference by division of wavefront. Fresnel’s biprism is also used for getting interference pattern based on
this method.

1.9.1 Fresnel’s Biprism

Fresnel’s Biprism is a device by which we can obtain two virtual coherent sources of light to produce
sustained interference. It is the combination of two acute angled prisms which are joined with their bases in
such a way that one angle becomes obtuse angle q¢ of about 179° and remaining two angles are acute angles
each of about 1/2°, as shown in Fig. 1.10.