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General Physics 2
Quarter 4 - Module 4
LIGHT WAVES

Name of Learner:_____________________________
Grade & Section: _____________________________
Name of School: _____________________________
Module LIGHT: Interference and Diffraction
9

What I need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the concepts in determining the conditions for interference to occur, emphasizing
the properties of a laser as a monochromatic and coherent light source. (STEM_GP12OPT-
IVf-32), relate the geometry of the two-slit experiment set up and properties of light to the
interference pattern's properties. (STEM_GP12OPT-IVf-33) and the geometry of the
diffraction experiment setup and properties of light to the properties of the diffraction
pattern. (STEM_GP12OPT-IVf-35). The scope of this module permits it to be used in many
different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of
students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the
order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now
using.
After you are done with this module, you are expected to:
1. Identify the two types of interference.
2. Explain how light waves interfere with each other.
3. Describe the resultants of pairs of wave pulses as they overlap.
4. Describe the interference pattern produced by the single and double slits experiment.

Perhaps you have noticed (or maybe not) the spectrum of colors reflected from a soap
bubble, from an oil slick or gasoline on a wet riad, from our compact disc, from the scales of
some fishes, from the eye of a peacock feather, and abalone shells and capiz. The
interference of light produces all these colors. But the question is, how do these lights
interfere? Do they bump with each other? These are some questions that we will find out as
we go through this module.

What’s In
Activity 1: Reflect It.
Objective: To investigate how light is reflected.
A. Directions: Label the picture of how light is being reflected on a surface: Write your
answers on the space provided. (1 point each)

B. Directions: Read each of the following statements. Identify the different parts of
how the light will reflect. Choose the words in the Word Bank below. Write your
answers provided before the number if it matches with the corresponding number. (1
point each)
 Incident ray angle of incidence angle of reflection

Normal Reflected ray Reflection

Regular reflection Diffused Reflection Opaque

__________1. It is a reflection from the smooth surfaces.

__________2. The ray that rebounds from the surface.
__________3. The turning back of light into the same medium after striking a
surface.
__________4. It is the ray that strikes the surface.
__________5. The angle of incident ray and the normal.
__________6. Materials that do not transmit light at all.

What Is It 10
10
Interference of light is a common phenomenon that can be explained classically by the
superposition of waves.
Let's find it out.

Activity 2: Find Me.

Directions: Find and encircle each of the words from the list on the box. Words may
appear horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Then identify the statement listed below. (10
points)
L I G H T Y M O N O C H R O M A T I C
O W A N T O B E N G E L O U A B B S O
V J O Y I U G R E A T F U L L Y I F H
E E P O H G P H Y S I C S T W O P I E
D D O N E D I F F R A C T I O N R O R
C E N T R A L B R I G H T F R I N G E
E C B A D R L R G E R E L G R A N S N
A L L O T K O J U L O U R D E S A W T
C A M D I F D O E S C R U Z T E L C O
L I M E S R A P O S I N E B U L A K O
A M I T R I P E A R L N S C I E N C E
N S N O O N B A B Y A E A L A B O R S
E O E T I G O Y E B J A K A Y L A B G
S N O T E E D A Y I B E T H A N Y R Y

Statements:

_____________________________ 1. A source of light that produces a single wavelength.

_____________________________ 2. The bending of light around an obstacle and subsequent
spreading of light waves into the region behind the
obstacle.
_____________________________ 3. A bright band or bright fringe that is located at the center
of the screen and it is equidistance to the two sources of
Light wave.
_____________________________ 4. Dark band will be formed when the crest and the trough
will cancel each other.
_____________________________ 5. It is a source of light which maintains a constant phase
with respect to each other.

5
Activity 3: Label It!
Directions: Label the figure below of how waves interfere with each other. Write your
answer on the space provided on the right. (1 point each)

1. Interference of Light

2. ___________________________________

3. ___________________________________

4. ___________________________________

5. __________________________________

6. ___________________________________

Light, like sound waves, also exhibits the phenomenon of interference and obeys the
principle of superposition. Interference is simply a combination of waves. When two or more
waves interfere, the resultant wave is the sum of the individual waves following the
superposition principle. Light waves may interfere constructively or destructively.
Constructive interference results when the waves arrive together at a point in a phase that
is, crest to crest or trough to trough. The result is a reinforced wave of amplitude equal to
the sum of the two waves' amplitudes. Destructive interference results when the waves
arrive together at a point 1800 out of phase, crest to trough. The resultant wave is of a
lesser amplitude equal to the difference in the individual waves' amplitudes. If constructive
and destructive interference continues occurring at a point, the light sources must be
coherent. Two light sources are said to be coherent if they maintain a constant phase
relation. Lasers are coherent sources of light, while incandescent light bulbs and
fluorescent lamps are incoherent sources.
To observe interference in light waves, the following conditions must be met: The sources
must be coherent – that is, they must maintain a constant phase to each other. The
sources should be
monochromatic – that is, of a single
wavelength.
Huygens’s Principle

• Every point of an advancing

wavefront is a new center of
disturbance from which emanate
independent waves in all
directions.
If two coherent
monochromatic lights were allowed to
pass through two narrow openings or slits
close to one another, a series of bright
bands alternating with dark bands would
be formed on a screen. The bright bands result from constructive interference, while the
dark bars are the result of destructive interference. The relative position of the dark and
bright bands depends on the wavelength of light used. If white light is used, bands of colors
will be formed. A measuring device called an interferometer measures the wavelength of
light and the diameter of stars.

Young’s Double-slit experiment

Thomas Young performed his
famous double-slit experiment in 1801
based on the premise that if a light is a
wave, it should behave like water waves in a
pond or river. Monochromatic light is
allowed to pass through a single slit S1 to
produce coherent light. It is then allowed to
pass through slits S2 and S3 that are both
equidistances from S1. Light reaching the
two slits are in phase. The two slits also Figure 1.1 Formation of the bright central act
as coherent sources of light waves that fringe
interfere constructively or destructively at
different points on a screen.
Figure 1.1, let us consider point C as the center of the screen that is equidistant from
S2 and S3. The light waves coming from S2 and S3 will arrive at C in phase, having traveled
equal distances. Therefore, the two waves will reinforce each other, producing a bright
band. This bright band is called the central bright fringe.
Let us consider another point A, which
is at some distance away from C(see Figure
2). In point A, the wave coming from S3
travels a greater distance than the wave
coming from S2. The difference in the
distances traveled by the waves coming from
the two slits is called path difference.
Suppose the path difference is one
wavelength; this means that if a crest from
S2 arrives at A, then a crest from S3
reaches point A. ( Recall: the distance
between crest to crest is one
wavelength.) The two crests will
reinforce each other resulting in a Figure 2. Geometry for double-slit bright
fringe. interference

If the path difference is one-half of a wavelength, this means that if a crest from S2
arrives at A, then a trough from S3 arrives at A. The crest and the trough will cancel each
other, resulting in a dark fringe.
In general, bright fringes will be formed if the waves arrive at a particular point in
phase. This happens when their path difference differs by a whole number of wavelengths, 1
λ, 2 λ. If the path differences are odd multiples of half wavelengths λ/2, 3λ/2, 5λ/2, dark
fringes are formed.
The following equations apply:
for bright fringes

for dark fringes

Where d is the distance between the slits S2 and S3and m = 0, 1, 2,…, λ is the wavelength of
light.
Referring to Figure 2, if angle θ is small, then sinθ ~ tanθ and thus the
equations become:

for bright fringes

for dark fringes

Where y is the
distance of the fringe
being considered
from the central
bright fringe and L is
the distance of the
slit to the screen.
The central bright
band is labeled zero.
The succeeding
bright bands above
Figure 3. (a) Destructive Interference forms Dark Fringes and (b)
or below the central Constructive Interference forms Bright Fringes.
bight band are
labeled 1, 2, 3. The value of m specifies symmetrically on either side of the central
bright band.
The double-slit
experiment produces two
coherent sources of light waves that
interfere. Light will spread out or
diffracts from each slit because the
slits are narrow. These waves
interfere constructively or
overlap that produces bright
fringes and Destructively that forms
dark fringes. We can see this
pattern if the light falls onto a
screen and is scattered. The
double-slit interference pattern for
water waves is just the same as Figure 4. The interference pattern for a double slit has an the
intensity that falls off with angle. The figure shows
interference pattern for light. multiple bright and dark lines, or fringes, formed by light
Young's double-slit passing through a double slit.
experiment is a proof that the light
has a characteristic of a wave. An
interference pattern is obtained by
the superposition of light from two
slits. Constructive interference and
destructive interference form
patterns, as we can see in Figure 5.
Sample Problem 1
A young's double-slit experiment is
performed using the light of

Figure 5. Interference pattern for a double slit with

dark and bright fringes.
wavelength . A distance of separates the slits. The screen is located
2.50 m from the slit. Find the angle that locates the third-order bright fringe on the screen
and the distance y on the screen between the central bright fringe and the third-order
bright fringe.

Diffraction
Had Thomas Young removed the double
slits and just allowed light to pass
through the single slit, he could have seen a
broader central bright band with
alternating dark and bright bands on either
side. Such a pattern is called a
diffraction pattern. With your two fingers
barely touching each other, look
through them, and you will also see this
diffraction pattern. Diffraction is the
bending of light around an obstacle and
subsequent spreading of light waves into
Figure 6. The diffraction pattern for a
the region behind the obstacle. The
single slit depends on the width of the slit
obstacle may be a slit, a wire, a hole, relative to the wavelength of light.
strands of hair, feathers, strings, or a
straightedge and the likes. These
obstacles illuminated by a beam of monochromatic light from a point source will cast
shadows that are fuzzy at the edges. The shadows upon close scrutiny are bordered by
alternating light and dark bands. The amount of diffraction depends on the width of the slit
compared to the wavelength of light. When the slit is considerably larger than the
wavelength, very little diffraction occurs. The diffraction is substantial when the width of
the slit is comparable to the wavelength of light. A perfect analogy for this is the spreading
of water waves through an opening. The smaller the opening and the greater the
wavelength, the more the water spreads out.
The analysis of a single slit is similar to a double slit. Diffraction involves the
interference of light coming from different parts of the same slit. Each part of the slit can be
considered an emitter of waves according to Huygen’s principle and thus interfere to
produce the diffraction pattern.
The bright, broad central band is not surprising. Every wave coming from the
different parts of the slit arrives at the center approximately in phase with each other. If we
consider the waves coming from the upper edge and the center of the slit of width W, a dark
fringe will be formed if the path difference is λ/2.
Using simple trigonometry,

Thus for the mth order dark fringe,

Where m = 1, 2, 3. w is the width of the slit. Assuming that is small, then sin = tan .
Thus,

In between two dark fringes is a secondary bright fringe. The width of the central
bright fringe is twice the width of the secondary bright fringe.

Sample problem 2

Light of wavelength 5.8 x 10-7 m illuminates a slit 0.75 mm wide. It was found
out that the first dark fringe is to be 0,850 mm from the center of the screen. (a) what is the
width of the central bright band? (b) How far away from the slit is the observation screen
placed?
Solution:
Given:
λ = 5.8 x 10-7 m
w = 0.75 mm = 7.5 x 10-4 m
m=1
y = 0.850 mm = 8.5 x 10-4 m
a.) The central band's width is twice the distance of the first dark fringe from the center
of the screen.
Width of central band = 2 (8.5 x 10-4 m)
= 1.7 x 10-3 m
b.) Using the formula for single slit diffraction and substituting the given values,

There are two types of diffraction: Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffractions.

In Fresnel diffraction, the source of light and the screen are near the obstacle.
Wavefronts leaving and entering the obstacles are spherical. Fresnel diffraction is also called
near field diffraction.
Fraunhofer diffraction is also called far-field diffraction. The source of light and the
screen are infinitely far from the obstacle. Waves entering and leaving the obstacles are
planar. A convex lens is used to converge these light waves.
In 1821, Joseph Fraunhofer developed the diffraction grating. A diffraction grating is
a piece of glass over which thousands of fine parallel lines equally spaced and very closed to
one another had been scratched, usually with a diamond point. The clear spaces between
the scratches are the slits. The scratches are considered opaque, and light does not pass
through. The distance from the middle of one slit to the center of the next slit is called the
grating constant.
When light passes through a diffraction grating, a central bright fringe and higher-
order bright fringes are formed on a viewing screen in accordance with the equation
analogous to the equation for the formation of bright fringes for a double slit. However, the
bright fringes formed by a diffraction grating are sharper and narrower than those from a
double slit. Hence the position of the mth bright fringe is given by the equation.
Sample Problem 3
A grating diffracts the blue light of wavelength 470 nm ruled 5,000 lines/cm. (a)
what is the angular deviation of the third-order bright fringe? (b) is the fifth-order possible
with this wavelength and grating?
Solution:

Given:
To find the distance between slits, we divide 1cm by 5,000 lines in as much as the
grating has 5,000 lines in a centimeter.
d = 2 x 10-6 m
a.) Using the formula for diffraction grating and substituting the given values,

= 0.705

b.) Using the same formula again,

We know from trigonometry that the sine of an angle cannot be greater than one.
Thus it is not possible to have the fifth-order bright fringe.
The diffraction grating is used to separate the components of light and determine its
wavelength. A compact disc functions like a diffraction grating because of its grooves. Light
upon it is broken into a spectrum of colors. Diffraction gratings also occur in nature. A
diamond beetle's wings have microscopic crisscrossed structures acting like a diffraction
grating having 2,000 lines/inch. The silicate spheres arrange in regular layers in iridescent
opal produce exquisite colors.

What’s More 10
Activity 4: Fill me In
Directions: Complete the table below. Write the answer by filling in the missing part. Use
the formula in the box. No need to show your solution. (2 points each)
a.) For Bright Fringes
m λ y L d
1. 3.8 x 10-11m 0 3.1 m 2.20 x 10-4 m
2. 3 4.5 x 10-11m 9.40 x 10-6m 0.89 x 10-4 m
3. 1 4.95 x 10-11m 4.5 m 1.20 x 10-4 m
4. 3 5.7 x 10-11m 2.52 x 10-5m 7.8 m
5. 2 6.2 x 10-6m 5.0 m 1.00 x 10-4 m
b.) For Dark Fringes
m λ y L d
1. 1 650nm 2.9 m 1.00 x 10-4 m
2. 1 405nm 1.72 x 10-6m 1.5 m
3. 2 532nm 4.21 x 10-6m 1.20 x 10-4 m
4. 1 2.77 x 10-6m 2.6 m 0.89 x 10-4 m
5. 3 660nm 2.84 x 10-6m 2.20 x 10-4 m

Activity 5: Fact or Bluff! 5

Directions: Read carefully each statement below. Write Fact if the statement 10 is
TRUE, and write Bluff if the statement is FALSE. Write your answer on the space
provided before the number.
__________1. Diffraction gratings provide a much brighter interference pattern since
more light passes through them compared with double slits.
__________2. Wavefront is a surface in which all points are in the same phase.
__________3. Destructive interference occurs at the center of the shadow.
__________4. Interference is the result of the wave nature of light.
__________5. Red light is used to form a two-slit interference pattern on a screen. As
the two slits are moved further apart, the separation of the bright
fringes on the screen decreases.

What I Learned

E
Activity 6: Exit Ticket 9
10
Let us check what you have learned about interference and diffraction of light.
Directions: Answer the following questions below. Write your answer on the space
provided. (3 points each)

xi
✓ What is the most important part of what you have learned today?

t
✓ How will you connect your new knowledge with the previous one?

Ti
✓ How will your learning today help you in the future?

c
 What I Can Do
20
Activity 7: You can do more!
Directions: Solve the following problems. Write your solution inside the Answer
Box. (20 points)
1. Light (λ = 580 nm) shines through a slit whose width is 4.5 x 10 -5 m. Find the
width of the central bright fringe of the diffraction pattern produced if the screen is
located 1.5 m from the slit.
Answer Box: (Note: Write all the given values.)

ASSESSMENT
15
Multiple Choice
Direction. Encircle the letter of the best answer.

1. How many number of coherent sources that must be present for the
phenomenon of diffraction that can be treated as an interference
phenomenon?
A. None B. One C. Two D. Infinity

2. Which of the following statement is CORRECT?

A. Diffraction is because of interference of light from the same sources, whereas
interference is due to light form two isolated sources.
B. Diffraction is due to the interaction of light from the same wavefronts, whereas
interference is due to the interaction of two waves derived from the same source.
C. Diffraction is due to the interference of waves derived from the same source,
whereas interference is the bending of light from the same source.
D. Diffraction is due to reflected waves, whereas interference is due to transmitted
waves from a source.
3. Which of the following CORRECT statement of a wavefront?
A. All particles in it have the same phase.
B. Few particles are in the same phase; the rest are in the opposite phase.
C. All particles have an opposite phase of vibrations.
D. All particles have random vibrations.

4. Two identical light sources S1 and S2, emit light of the same wavelength.
Complete the statement These light rays will exhibit interference if their____.
A. phase difference remains constant.
B. phase difference is distributed randomly.
C. light intensities remain constant.
D. light intensities change continuously.

5. Which principle is responsible for light spreading as it passes through a narrow

slit?
A. Refraction B. Polarization C. Diffraction D. Interference

6. Which principle is responsible for alternating dark and bright bands when light
passes through two or more narrow slits?
A. Refraction B. Polarization C. Diffraction D. Interference

7. Light of wavelength 757nm falls on a double-slit, and the third-order bright

fringe is seen at an angle of 6.5 degrees. What is the separation between the double
slits?
A. 5 micro m B. 10 micro m C. 15 micro m D. 20 micro m

8. A beam of coherent light travels path P1 in arriving at point B, and another

coherent beam travels path P2 in arriving at the same point. Which of the following
is the path difference P2 – P1 equal to if these two beams interfere destructively?
A. an odd number of half-wavelengths. C. whole number of wavelengths.
B. a whole number of half-wavelengths. D. zero

9. Which of the following is TRUE if two light sources are said to be coherent?
A. are of the same frequency.
B. are of the same frequency and maintain a constant phase difference.
C. are of the same amplitude and maintain a constant phase difference.
D. are of the same frequency and amplitude.

10. Which of the following is the interference of waves have been observed?
A. light waves B. sound waves C. water waves D. all of the above

11. Why do interference of two or more wave occur?

A. they collide B. they echo C. they overlap D. all of the above

12. Which of the following is called for the sources of two light waves having the
same wavelength?
A. coherent B. incoherent C. chromatic D. monochromatic

13. What is the shape of the fringes observed in interference?

A. straight B. Circular C. Hyperbolic D. Elliptical
14. In Young’s double-slit experiment, which of the following must the slit differ in
the distance they travel a multiple of for bright fringes to occur?
A. half a wavelength C. a wavelength
B. three-fourths of a wavelength D. Two wavelength

15. Light of wavelength 580 nm is incident on a slit of width 0.300 mm. An

observing screen is placed 2.00 m from the slit. What is the first-order dark fringe
position from the center of the viewing screen?
A. 0.26 mm B. 1.9 mm C. 3.9 mm D. 7.7 mm

Additional Activity

Activity 8: Going Further!

Directions: Read and analyze the following situations carefully and answer each of
the following questions.

1. Suppose you were able to narrow the slit width to the point that it was less than
the wavelength of the light you shone on it. Would you still see dark fringes in the
pattern on the screen? Explain.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
2. How does the distance from the central bright fringe to the first dark fringe vary
with slit width? If the slit were ten times wider, what would you expect to see on
the viewing screen?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Answer Key- Gr12Q4W9 GenPhysics2
 References

Books:
Physics, Physics Science Study Committee(1960), D.C. Heath and
Company, Page 135-136
Exploring Life Through Science Series Second Edition, Physics (2010)
Phoenix Publishing House, Page 479-486

Electronic Resources:
https://www.texasgateway.org/resource/171-understanding-
diffraction-and-interference
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/physics/chapter/27-3-youngs-
double-slit-experiment/
https://www3.nd.edu/~amoukasi/CBE30361/Useful%20files/Interfer
ence%20of%20Light%20Waves.pdf
https://www.toppr.com/ask/question/the-phenomenon-of-
diffraction-can-be-treated-as-interference-phenomenon-if-the-
number-of-coherent/
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