J.S.NARA; LECT.

IN PHYSICS {WAVE OPTICS/U−06(C-I)/10+2} (1)

PHYSICS BOOKLET
(10+2)

UNIT – (06)/C-I
NCERT CHAPTER – (10)

OPTICS (WAVE)
(INTERFERENCE OF LIGHT)

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J.S.NARA; LECT.IN PHYSICS {WAVE OPTICS/U−06(C-I)/10+2} (2)

C (I) -- INTERFERENCE
Wave Front:
The continuous locus of all the wave particles vibrating in

the same phase is called wave front. Depending upon the sources of light, wave front can

be of three types:

1) Spherical Wave Front:

When the source of light is a

point source, the wave front is spherical in nature (fig-I). The

spherical wave front may be converging and diverging in nature.

2) Cylindrical Wave Front:

When the source of light is

linear e.g. a slit, the wave front is cylindrical in nature (fig-II).

3) Plane Wave Front:

When the source of light (either

point source or linear) is at infinite distance, the wave front is

called plane wave front. In this wave front, a small portion of

spherical or cylindrical wave front appears to be plane.

Note:
Infect a source of light sends out disturbances in all the directions. In a homogeneous
medium, velocity of light waves in all direction is the same. Therefore, disturbance reaches at
the same time, at all such particles which are at the same distance from the sources.

Huygens Principle:
According to Huygens Theory

a) Every point on a given wave front (say Primary) acts

as a fresh source of new disturbance, called

secondary wavelets, which travel in all direction with

the velocity of light.

b) A surface touching these secondary wavelets

tangentially in the forward direction gives new wave

front, called secondary wave front.

Explanation:
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Let ‘AB’ is a section of Primary wave front at any instant. Take point

1,2,3,4 …on this wave front. Draw spheres of radius by taking each point at centre. These

spherical surfaces represent the position of secondary wavelets.

Draw a surface PQ & RS touching

tangentially, all the secondary wavelets in the forward & backward direction respectively.

The surface PQ is known as forward secondary wave front & the surface RS is known as

backward secondary wave front. Due to low intensity, there is no backward flow of energy

during the propagation of wave.

Reflection on the Basis of Huygens Theory:

Let us consider a reflecting surface XY & let a

parallel beam of light strikes a plane reflecting surface XY as shown in figure. Since the

light is parallel, therefore the incident wave front is plane.

Now, according to Huygens principle, each point on

the primary wave front AB acts as a fresh source of new disturbance. So the secondary

wavelets from B reaches C on the

reflecting surface & the

secondary wavelets from A

travels a distance AD = BC.

Taking ‘A’ as the centre, draw a

sphere of radius AD. Now join the

tangent to the sphere at D with point C. Hence CD is true reflected or secondary wave

front.

➢ Mathematical Deduction:
Here  BAC = i = angle of incidence

&  DCA = r = angle of reflection

Now, time taken by the wavelets to reach from B to C or from A to D is given by

BC AD  Distance 
t= = ………….. (1)  Vel = Time 
C C  
Where C = velocity of light. Also from eqn (1), we have

BC = AD = C  t
J.S.NARA; LECT.IN PHYSICS {WAVE OPTICS/U−06(C-I)/10+2} (4)

BC
Now in  ACB; Sin i =  BC = AC Sin i ..……….. (2)
AC
AD
& in  ACD; Sin r =  AD = AC Sin r ………… (3)
AC
As BC = AD . Hence, from eqn (2) & (3) we have

AC Sin i = AC Sin r

 Sin i = Sin r

 i = r …………… (4)

Hence angle of incidence is equal to the angle

of reflection. This is the law of reflection.

Refraction on the Basis of Huygens Theory:

Here XY is a plane surface that separates a

denser medium of refractive index (  ) from a rarer medium.

Let 1, 2, 3 are the rays

incident on a plane wave front AB.

According to Huygens Principle, every

point on AB is a source of secondary

wavelets. Let the secondary wavelets

from B strike XY at ‘C’ & the secondary

wavelets from ‘A’ strike at ‘D’ in t

second.

➢ Mathematical Deduction:
If C1 is the velocity of light in rarer medium & C2 is the

Velocity of light in denser medium, then

BC = C1  t
& AD = C 2  t ……………… (1)
Now, draw an arc with ‘A’ as a centre & radius

equal to AD. From ‘C’ draw a tangent plane touching the surface of a spherical arc at D.

Therefore CD is true refracted wave front.

Here  BAC = i = angle of incidence

&  DCA = r = angle of reflection

J.S.NARA; LECT.IN PHYSICS {WAVE OPTICS/U−06(C-I)/10+2} (5)

BC
Now in  ACB; Sin i = ……..……….. (2)
AC
AD
& in  ACD; Sin r = …....………… (3)
AC
On dividing (1) & (2), we have

Sin i BC C1  t C1
= = = = [Using (1)]
Sin r AD C 2  t C 2

C1 Sin i
Or = = ……………… (4)
C 2 Sin r

This is known as Snell’s law of Refraction.

Interference of Light:
It is the phenomenon of modification or

redistribution of light energy from two coherent sources of light on the account of

superposition of two waves.

➢ Principle of Superposition of Light Waves:

According to this principle, “when two or more wave trains of

light travelling in a medium superimpose each

other, then the resultant displacement (y) at any

instant is equal to the vector sum of the

displacements due to all individual waves” i.e.

y = y1 + y2 + y3 + ………...

Here y1, y2, y3 … be the displacement due to different waves.

Young’s Double Slit Experiment (YDSE):

The experimental set up of young’s double

slit experiment is shown below. Here ‘S’ is a narrow slit illuminated by a monochromatic

source of light. At a suitable distance from S, there are two fine slits A & B about 0.5 mm

apart, placed symmetrically parallel to S. A screen is placed at a distance about 2m from

the slits A & B.

Explanation:
Let ‘S’ be a single source of monochromatic light. The light is equally

distributed from all sides. Here crest of a wave is represented by a solid line & trough of

a wave is represented by a dotted line. When the light from ‘S’ passes through two slits

A & B, these two slits behave as two coherent sources.

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If crest of one wave falls on the crest of another wave or

trough of one wave falls on the trough of another wave, then the intensity of light will be

maximum at these points. At such points interference is said to be constructive

interference & the band (Fringe) obtained on the screen is bright.

Similarly, if crest of one wave falls on the trough of another

wave & vice versa then the

intensity of light will be

minimum at these points. At

such points interference is

said to be destructive

interference & the band

(Fringe) obtained on the

screen is dark.

These bright & dark bands are placed alternately & they are

equally spaced. These bands are also called interference fringes.

➢ Coherent Sources:
Two sources are said to be coherent sources, if they

emit light waves of same frequency, same amplitude, same wavelength and have a

constant phase difference.

Condition of obtaining two Sources of light to be Coherent:

i) The two sources should give monochromatic light.
ii) The path difference between light waves from two sources should be small.
iii) Coherent sources of light should be obtained from a single source.
iv) The waves emitted by the two sources of light should have a constant phase difference.

➢ Sustained Interference:
The interference pattern, in which the position

of maximum intensity & minimum intensity of light remains fixed all along the screen, is

called sustained interference. In case of sustained interference, there is no overlapping

of fringes & no fluctuation of fringes.

Condition for Sustained Interference of Light:

i) The two sources of light should be perfectly monochromatic & point sources.
ii) The amplitudes of waves from two sources should be equal.
iii) The two sources of light must be coherent.
iv) The coherent sources must be very close to each other.
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………………………………………………………………………………………………………
➢ Relation between Path difference & Phase difference (KEEP IN MIND)
If ‘ x ’ is the path difference between the
two successive waves in a wave pattern, ‘  ’ is the
respective phase difference & ‘  ’ is the wavelength of
the light used, then the possible relation between the
path difference & phase difference is

x= 
2
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Conditions for Constructive & Destructive Interference:

Let the displacement of

the waves from the sources S1 & S2 at point P on

the screen at any time ‘t’ is given by

y1 = a Sin wt

& y 2 = b Sin ( wt +  )

Where  = Constant phase difference between the two waves. Now,

according to superposition principle, the resultant displacement is

y = y1 + y 2

Or y = a Sin wt + b Sin ( wt +  )

y = a Sin wt + b Sin wt Cos  + b Cos wt Sin 

or y = Sin wt (a + b Cos ) + Cos wt (b Sin ) ……………….. (1)

This is the simple harmonic wave equation, having

amplitude ( a + b Cos ) in terms of cosine & having amplitude ( b Sin ) in terms of sine.

Hence to find the resultant amplitude of a wave, let

a + b Cos = R Cos 
& b Sin = R Sin  ……………….. (2)

➢ Amplitude of the Resultant Harmonic wave:

To calculate R, squaring & adding eqn (2) on both sides, we have

(a + b Cos ) 2 + (b Sin ) 2 = R 2 (Cos 2  + Sin 2 )

a 2 + b 2 Cos 2 + 2ab Cos + b 2 Sin 2 = R 2

a 2 + b 2 (Cos 2 + Sin 2 ) + 2ab Cos = R 2  a 2 + b 2 + 2ab Cos = R 2

J.S.NARA; LECT.IN PHYSICS {WAVE OPTICS/U−06(C-I)/10+2} (8)

 R = a 2 + b 2 + 2ab Cos ………………. (3)

This is the required amplitude of resultant harmonic wave.

➢ Intensity of the Resultant harmonic wave:

As we know that the intensity () of light is directly

proportional to the square of the amplitude (R) of the wave.

i.e. I  R2

With that eqn (3) becomes

I = a 2 + b 2 + 2ab Cos ……………… (4)

➢ Condition of Maxima (Constructive Interference):

For, constructive interference, ‘’ should be

maximum. Hence  = 0  Cos  = 1 . With that eqn (4) becomes

I = a 2 + b 2 + 2ab

 I Max = (a + b) 2 ………………. (5)

Also, another possible values of  for maxima are

 = 2 , 4 , 6 ,............,2n

  = 2n Where, n = 0, 1, 2, 3… & so on.

If ‘ x ’ is the path difference between the two successive waves, then we

know that the relation between path difference ( x ) & phase difference (  ) is


x=  ………………….. (6)
2
Here  is the wavelength of the light used. Putting the value of  = 2n in eqn (6), we

have the path difference is


x=  2n
2

 x = n ……………….. (7)
This is the required condition of maxima.

➢ Condition of Minima (Destructive Interference):

For, destructive interference, ‘’ should be minimum. Hence

 = 180 0  Cos  = −1 . With that eqn (4) becomes

I = a 2 + b 2 − 2ab

 I Min = (a − b) 2 ………………. (8)

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Also, another possible values of  for minima are

 = 3 , 5 , 7 ,............, (2n − 1)

  = (2n − 1) Where, n = 1, 2, 3… & so on.

If ‘ x ’ is the path difference between the two successive waves, then

we know that the relation between path difference ( x ) & phase difference (  ) is


x=  ……………….. (9)
2
Putting the value of  = (2n − 1) in eqn (9), we have the path difference is

x=  (2n − 1)
2

 x = (2n − 1) ……………….. (10)
2
This is the required condition of minima.

@ Special Cases:
i) Ratio of Intensity of light of Maxima & Minima:
I Max (a + b) 2
From eqn (5) & (8), we have = ……………….. (11)
I Min (a − b) 2

ii) Ratio of Intensity of light in terms of Width of two Sources:

It is also found that intensity of light due to a slit is

directly proportional to the width of the slit (i.e. I  w ). Therefore, if w1 & w2 are the widths

of two slits S1 & S2 respectively, then we have

I1  w1 & I 2  w2

I 1 w1
 = ……………….. (12)
I 2 w2

Also, as we know that the intensity

of light is directly proportional to the square of the amplitude of the wave. Hence for two

slits of amplitudes a & b, we have

I1  a 2 & I2  b2
With that eqn (12) becomes
I1 a 2
= ……………….. (13)
I 2 b2

Hence from eqn (12) & (13), we have

I 1 w1 a 2
= = …………….. (14)
I 2 w2 b 2
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iii) Alternate form of Resultant Intensity of Light :

As we know that the magnitude of resultant

intensity () of light in terms of amplitudes a & b is

I = a 2 + b 2 + 2ab Cos ……………… (1)

Also, we know that the intensity of light is directly proportional to the square of the

amplitude of the wave. Hence for two slits of amplitudes a & b, let

I1  a 2 & I2  b2  a  I1 & b  I2 ………… (2)

Using this result in eqn (1), we have

I = I 1 + I 2 + 2 I 1 I 2 Cos ……………… (3)

iv) Intensity of light when two sources are Coherent:

As we know that the intensity of a wave;

I = a 2 + b 2 + 2ab Cos ……………… (1)

For two coherent sources a = b. Hence eqn (1) becomes

I = a 2 + a 2 + 2aa Cos  I = 2a 2 + 2a 2 Cos


I = 2a 2 (1 + Cos )  I = 2a 2 (2Cos 2 )
2

or I = 4a 2 Cos 2
2

 I  Cos 2 ……………… (2)
2

Expression for Fringe Width:

Let A & B are two fine slits at a distance ‘d’ apart. Let them be illuminated

by a source of monochromatic light of

wavelength ( ) . A screen MN is placed

at a distance ‘D’ from the slit. Draw AE,

BF & OC ⊥ to MN. Here ‘C’ is the

position of central maxima.

Let us consider a point

‘P’ on the screen at a distance ‘ x ’ from

C. The path difference between the

two waves arriving at P is

Path difference = BP − AP (= x) …………………. (1)

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2
 d  d
Here, BP = (BF ) 2
+ (PF ) = D +  x + 
2 2
 PF = x + 2 
 2
2
 d  d
& AP = ( AE ) 2
+ (PE ) = D +  x − 
2 2
 PE = x − 2 
 2
Hence from eqn (1), we have

1 1
 2  d  2  2 
2
d  2
2

BP − AP =  D +  x +   −  D +  x −  
  2     2  
1 1
  d  2
2
  d  2
2

 x+    x−  

BP − AP = D 1 +  2 
− D 1 + 
2 
 D 2
  D 2

   
   
By using Binomial expansion, we have

  d
2
 d 
2

 x+  x−  

BP − AP = D 1 +  2
−1− 
2 
 2D 2
2D 2 
 
 

D  2
d  d 
2

or BP − AP =  x +  −  x −  
2D 2  2  2  

1  2 d 2 2 xd d 2 2 xd 
or BP − AP = x + + −x −
2
+ 
2D  4 2 4 2 

or BP − AP =
1
2 xd  = xd
2D D

xd
 BP − AP = ……………….. (2)
D

➢ Condition for Maxima i.e. for Bright Fringes:

In case of maxima, the path difference is n . Hence eqn (2) becomes

xd
= n ; n = 0, 1, 2, 3…
D
nD
 x = xn = ………………….. (3)
d

➢ Condition for Minima i.e. Dark Fringes:


In case of minima, the path difference is (2n − 1) . Hence eqn (2) becomes
2
xd 
= (2n − 1) ; n = 1, 2, 3…
D 2

 x = xn =
(2n − 1) D ……………….. (4)
2d
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➢ Calculation for Fringe Width:

It is the separation between any two

alternate dark or bright bands. It is denoted by  .

“The separation between the centers of two consecutive bright fringes is

the width of a dark fringe”. It is calculated as

 = xn − xn−1

nD (n − 1) D D
 = − = (Using 3)
d d d
D
  = ………………… (5)
d

Similarly, “The separation between the centers of two consecutive dark fringes is

the width of a bright fringe”. It is calculated as

 = xn − xn−1

=
(2n − 1) D − 2 (n − 1) − 1 D =
D
(Using 4)
2d 2d d

D
  = ……………………. (6)
d

Hence from (5) & (6), we can say that “all the bright
& dark fringes are equally spaced & occupy same fringe width”.

@ Special Cases:
(i) Angular Width or Angular Fringe Width:
It is the angular separation between two

successive maxima or minima w.r.t a

reference point on the slit. Let ‘  ’ is the

angle between the central maxima & first

maxima w.r.t point ‘O’. From the diagram,

it is clear that


= ……………. (1)
D

This angle is also known as angular width or

angular fringe width in interference for both maxima & minima respectively. Also, we know

that the fringe width of maxima & minima in interference is

J.S.NARA; LECT.IN PHYSICS {WAVE OPTICS/U−06(C-I)/10+2} (13)

D  
=  = …………………. (2)
d D d
From eqn (1) & (2), we can say that

 
= = ………………. (3)
D d
This is the required angular fringe width in interference for both maxima & minima. This

result (3) shows that the angular width depends only upon ‘  ’ & ‘ d ’.

(ii) Fringe Width in terms of Refractive Index of a Transparent Medium:

As we know that the basic refractive index of any medium is given by the relation

C v 
= =  = ……………. (1)
V 'v '

Here C = v is the velocity of light in vacuum & V =  ' v is the velocity of light in any

medium. As frequency ( v ) remains same, it cancels out.

Also, we know that the fringe width of maxima & minima in interference is

D
= ………………. (2)
d
When the entire Young’s apparatus is immersed in a

transparent medium of refractive index (  ), the new fringe width becomes

' D
 '= ………………. (3)
d
But from eqn (1), we know that
 
=  ' =
' 
Putting this value in eqn (3), we have

' D D
 '= = ………………. (4)
d d
D
As  = , so new fringe width (eqn − 4) becomes
d

 '= ………………. (5)


(iii) Graphical Variation of Intensity of light with Phase Difference:

As we know that in interference pattern, the bright &

dark bands (Fringes) are equally spaced. Also, we know that the maximum intensity

(Bright) is possible when the phase difference between two waves is

 = 0, 2 , 4 ,......,2n & minimum intensity (Dark) is possible when the phase difference

between two waves is  =  , 3 , 5 ,......., (2n − 1) .

J.S.NARA; LECT.IN PHYSICS {WAVE OPTICS/U−06(C-I)/10+2} (14)

The above significance led to a graph between

intensity of light & phase difference, as shown in the figure.