Solution

XII - CBSE PHYSICS UNIT TEST - WAVE OPTICS

Class 12 - Physics
Section A
1.
(d) 0.5 mm
λD
Explanation: We know that fringe width, β = d
−7

= 5× 10-4 m = 0.5
5×10 ×1
= mm
−3
10

2. (a) 30o
Explanation: For first minimum, a sin θ = λ
= 0.5 or θ = 30o
−10

∴ sin θ = λ

a
=
5000×10

−3
0.001×10

3. (a) Only the central fringe is white and all the other fringes are coloured
Explanation: Only the central fringe is white and all the other fringes are coloured
4.
2√n
(d) n+1
2
I1 a a1 −
Explanation: Here n = I2
=
1

2
⇒
a2
= √n
a
2
2 2
Imax − Imin k( a1 + a2 ) −k( a1 − a2 )
=
Imax + Imin 2 2
k( a1 + a2 ) +k( a1 − a2 )
a1
2( )
4a1 a2 a 2√n
2
= = =
2 2 a2 n+1
2(a + a )
1 2 1
[ +1]
2
a
2

5. (a) 2
Explanation: At the centre of a bright fringe,
I0 = I + I + 2√I I cos 0o = 4I
−−

β
At a point distant 4
(or ϕ = 2π

4
= π

2
) intensity is
−−
I' = I + I + 2√I I cos π

2
= 2I
I0

′
=
4I

2I
=2
I

6.
(d) 2.26 ×10 m/s 8

c
Explanation: velocity of the refracted light, v = μ

8
3×10
So, v = 1.33
= 2.26 × 10
8
m/s
7.
(d) A is false and R is also false
Explanation: A is false and R is also false
8.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
9. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The velocity of light in air and water, proved by corpuscular theory is just reverse as proved by Foucault which
is based on wave theory and is incomplete disagreement with corpuscular theory.
Section B
10. Width of central maximum = 2Dλ

i. If slit width a is halved, width of central maximum is doubled. Its area reduces by 4 times and hence intensity becomes
one-fourth of the initial intensity.
ii. If visible light of longer wavelength is used, the width of central maximum increases and hence intensity decreases.

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11. Here, d = 0.3 mm = 0.3 × 10-3m
β = 1.5 mm = 1.5 × 10-3m
D = 75 cm = 0.75 m
Wavelength λ is given by
λD
β =
d
βd
λ =
D
−3 −3
1.5× 10 ×0.3× 10
⇒ λ =
0.75
o
−10
= 6000 × 10 m = 6000A

a. β = λD

When D is doubled, fringe width β is also doubled.

β = 1.5 × 2 = 3.0 mm

b. when d is doubled, β is reduced to half i.e.

1.5
β = = 0.75mm
2

12. The intensity at any point on the screen is

I = 4 I0 cos2
ϕ

i. ϕ = 60o, I = 4I0 cos2 30o = 4I0 (

√3

2
) = 3I0
2

ii. ϕ = 90o, I = 4I0 cos2 45o = 4I0 ( 1

) = 2I0
√2

13. For diffraction effect, size of the aperture or object should be comparable to the wavelength of wave. In the present example, the
size of the obstacle is of the order of few meters whereas wavelength of light is about 6000 Angstroms = 6 × 10-7m. Therefore
diffraction of light is almost zero. However, for audible sound waves of frequency 1 KHz, the wavelength is
−1
332 ms
λ =
ν

v
=
1000 Hz
= 0.332 m . As a result, the sound waves can bend round the partition and students sitting on opposite sides
of partition wall can converse freely.
OR
The angular width of the central maximum in the first case,
2λ
2θ =
a

The angular width of central maximum in the second case,

′
′ 2λ
2θ =
a

But 2θ = 70% of 2θ [2θ decreases by 30%]

′

′
2λ 70 2λ
= ×
a 100 a
∘ ∘

∴ λ =
′

10
7
λ =
7

10
× 6000 A = 4200 A
Section C
14. β = n λD

a. As d increases, β decreases so spacing between fringes also decreases.

b. As λ decreases, β also decreases so spacing between fringes also decreases.
c. As whole apparatus is submerged in oil, λ decreases So β decreases and spacing between fringes will be narrow.
15. i. Coherent sources: Two sources are said to be coherent in nature if they emit light of same frequency and of a stable path
difference. The essential condition, which must be satisfied for the sources to be coherent are:
a. The two light waves should be of same wavelength.
b. The two sources must be very close to each other.
c. The two light waves should either be with same phase or should have a constant phase difference.
d. The two sources should preferably have the same amplitude.
e. The sources should emit light waves continuously.
ii. Two sources of emitting light waves of same frequency or wavelength and of a stable phase difference are required to see
interference pattern, and we can obtain such nature of light waves from coherent source.
So, we require coherent sources to produce the interference of light.
16. When a tiny circular obstacle is placed in the path of light from a distant source, a bright spot is seen at the center of the shadow
of the obstacle. This is because light waves are diffracted from the edge of the circular obstacle, which interferes constructively at
the center of the shadow. This constructive interference produces a bright spot.

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 Difference between Interference and Diffraction:
i. Interference occurs due to the superposition of two distinct waves coming from two coherent sources of light. The diffraction
occurs as a result of the secondary wavelets coming from different parts of the same wavefront.
ii. In the pattern of interference, all the bright fringes have the same intensity. In a diffraction pattern, all the bright fringes are not
of the same intensity.
OR
i. In single slit diffraction pattern, first minimum occurs at d sin θ = λ [θ and λ are diffraction angle and wavelength of the light
used]
∴ Slit width, d = ....(a)
λ

sin θ

Given, λ = 650 × 10 −9
m and θ = 30
∘

−9

Now from equation (a) we get slit width, d = 650×10

∘
sin 30
=
650 −9
× 10
(1/2)

= 1300 × 10
−9
m
−6
∴ d = 1.3 × 10 m = 1.3 μm

ii. In single slit diffraction pattern, maximum and minima occurs as per the below diagram -

Now for first maximum,

3λ λ
d sin θ = [using, d sin θ = (2n + 1) ]
2 2

where, n = 1(for first maximum)

3λ
⇒ d =
2 sin θ

where, θ = 30 ∘
, λ = 650 × 10
−9
m
3λ
∴ d =
2 sin θ
−9
3×650×10
= ∘
2×sin 30

−9
= 1950 × 10 m

−6
∴ d = 1.95 × 10 m = 1.95 μm

Section D
17. Read the text carefully and answer the questions:
The principle of superposition is used to understand the phenomenon of interference of light waves. The principle states that at a
particular point, the resultant displacement produced by a number of waves is the vector sum of the displacements produced by
each wave. Light waves from two coherent sources produce interference pattern. Thomas Young devised a way to obtain two
coherent sources using two identical pinholes (S1 and S2) illuminated by a single monochromatic pinhole source S. Using these
sources in his experiment known as Young's double slit experiment, Young studied the interference pattern. The pattern consists of
alternate bright and dark fringes. The distance between two successive bright or dark finges depends on the distance between S1
and S2, the distance of the screen from the plane of S1 S2 and the wavelength of light used.

(i) (b) (ii) and (iii)

Explanation: (ii) and (iii)
(ii) (c) 2 I0
Explanation: 2 I0

(iii) (c) ω > ω > ω

3 1 2

Explanation: ω is directly proportional to wavelength and wavelength increases in the following order 'VIBGYOR'
(iv) (a) 640 nm
Explanation: 640 nm
Section E

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18. i. A wave front is defined as a surface of constant phase. The ray, at each point of a wave front, is normal to the wave front at
that point. The ray indicates the direction of propagation of wave while the wave front is the surface of constant phase.
ii. (a) In case of light diverging from a point source, the shape of wave-front is a spherical as shown in the figure:

(b) In case of light emerging out of a convex lens when a point source is placed at its focus, the wave-front is a plane wave
front as shown below:

(c) The following diagram shows the passage of a plane wavefront from a denser into a rarer medium.

OR
i. There are two sets of apparatus of Young's double-slit experiment. In Set A: Stable interference pattern, the positions of
maxima and minima do not change with time.
In Set B: Positions of maxima and minima will change rapidly with time and an average uniform intensity distribution will be
observed on the screen.
ii. Expression for the intensity of stable interference pattern in set-A
If the displacement produced by slit S1 is given by
y1 = acos ω t
then, the displacement produced by S2 would be
y2 = acos (ω t + ϕ)
and the resultant displacement will be given by
y = y1 + y2
= a[cos ω t + cos (ω t + ϕ)]
ϕ ϕ
= 2acos ( )cos (ω t +
2 2
)
ϕ
The amplitude of the resultant displacement is 2acos ( ) and therefore the intensity at that point will be
2

4I0cos2( 2 )
ϕ
I=
ϕ =0
∴ I = 4l0

In set B, the intensity will be given by the average intensity is given by :-

I = 4I0cos2( )
ϕ

I = 2I0

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