1. How shall a diffraction pattern change when white light is used instead of a monochromatic light?
a) The pattern will no longer be visible
b) The shape of the pattern will change from hyperbolic to circular
c) The colored pattern will be observed with a white bright fringe at the center
d) The bright and dark fringes will change position
Explanation: When white light is used instead of monochromatic light, then the central maximum remains white as all seven wavelengths meet there in the same phase. The first minimum and second maximum will be formed by violet color due to its shortest wavelength while the last is due to the red color as it has the longest wavelength. Thus, a colored pattern is observed.
However, after the first few colored bands, the clarity of the band is lost, due to overlapping.
2. If the Fresnel’s distance is a, then what should be the distance of the screen from the slit, d, such that ray optics is no longer valid?
a) d > a
b) d < a
c) d = a
d) No relation between d and a
Explanation: As long as d < a, the concepts of ray optics cannot be used directly. The distance at which the spreading of light due to diffraction becomes equal to the size of the slit is known as Fresnel’s distance
3. Sound waves cannot be diffracted.
a) True
b) False
Explanation: Diffraction is the bending of waves around a corner. Sound waves can also be diffracted. The fact that we can hear sounds around corners and around barriers is due to the diffraction of sound as well as its reflection.
4. What will be the angular separation of the first order fringe from the central maximum, when a light of wavelength 500 nm is diffracted at a slit of width 0.5 mm?
a) 2.1 minute
b) 3.4 minute
c) 4.8 minute
d) 5.6 minute
Explanation: a = 0.5 mm = 0.5 X 10-3m, λ = 5000 Å = 5 X 10-7 m.
Angular separation between the central maximum and the first order minimum is given by:
sin θ = \(\frac{\lambda}{a}\) = 0.001
sin θ ≈ θ
θ = 0.001 radian
θ = 3.4 minute.
5. A diffraction pattern is obtained with a straight edge using light of wavelength 5500 Å. The separation between the edge and the source is 15 cm while that between the edge and the eyepiece is 3 m. What is the position of the first maximum?
a) 1.01 cm
b) 2.03 cm
c) 0.46 cm
d) 1.56 cm
Explanation: λ = 5500 Å = 5.5 X 10-5cm, a = 15 cm and b = 300 cm
Location for first maximum, x1 = \(\frac{3b(a+b)}{a}\)
= 1.01 cm.
6. A screen is placed 2m away from the lens to obtain the diffraction pattern in the focal plane of the lens in a single slit diffraction experiment. What will be the slit width if the first minimum lies 5 mm on either side of the central maximum when plane light waves of wavelength 4000 Å are incident on the slit?
a) 0.16 mm
b) 0.26 mm
c) 0.36 mm
d) 0.46 mm
Explanation: Given: f = 2 m, x = 5 X 10-3 m, λ = 4 X 10-7 m, n=1
sin θ = \(\frac{nλ}{a}\), we have
a = \(\frac{nλ}{sinθ}\)
= 1.6 X 10-4m
= 0.16 mm.
7. X-ray crystallography uses which characteristic of light?
a) Polarization
b) Interference
c) Diffraction
d) Coherency
Explanation: X-ray crystallography is used to identify the molecular and atomic structure of the crystal. The crystal diffracts the incident X-ray beam. By measuring the intensities and angle of these diffracted beams, the molecular structure of the crystal can be evaluated.
8.By observing the diffraction patter, the two images are said to be just resolved when ________
a) The central maxima of one image coincide with central maxima of the other
b) The central maxima of one do not coincide with central maxima of the other
c) The central maxima of one image coincides with the first minimum of the other
d) The central maxima of one image do not coincide with the first minimum of other
Explanation: In Rayleigh’s Criterion, the diffraction pattern formed is considered for resolution. According to him, two nearby images would be just resolved when the central maxima of one image coincide with the first minimum of the other and vice versa.
9. How many lenses are used in Fraunhofer Diffraction?
a) Two Convex lenses
b) Two Concave lenses
c) One Convex lens
d) No lens used
Explanation: In Fraunhofer Diffraction, two convex lenses are used. One convex lens renders the incident rays parallel and the other focuses the diffracted ray on the screen.
10. If the separation between the two slits in Double Slit Fraunhofer Diffraction is changed, what change will be observed in the diffraction pattern?
a) The fringe length will increase
b) The fringe length will decrease
c) Fringes will be colored
d) No change
Explanation: The separation between the two slits only affects the interference pattern in Double Slit Fraunhofer Diffraction. The diffraction pattern does not change.
For Diffraction, e sin θ = ±mλ
Where e = Width of slits
m = Any integer
For interference, (e + d) sin θ = ±nλ
Where e = Width of slits
d = Separation between the two slits
m = Any integer
Hence, there is no change in the Diffraction Pattern.