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Superposition, Resultant Amplitude and Intensity

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30 questions

What is the angular position of the second secondary maximum in a single-slit diffraction pattern if the slit width is \

**Phase difference** corresponding to path difference Δ, φ =2π Δ/λ, for Δ=5λ/8 φ=5π/4, for Δ=9λ/4 φ=9π/2, for Δ=λ path difference φ=2π constructive, but for destructive condition path difference λ can be destructive if one reflection introduces π phase shift, resultant amplitude zero when φ=(2n+1)π. Secondary maxima occur at θ ≈ ((n + (1/2))λ/a) . For the second secondary maximum, n = 2 . λ = 5.6 × 10⁻⁷ m , a = 7.0 × 10⁻⁶ m . sin θ = ((2 + (1/2)) × 5.6 × 10⁻⁷/7.0 × 10⁻⁶) = (2.5 × 5.6 × 10⁻⁷/7.0 × 10⁻⁶) = 0.2 , θ = sin⁻¹(0.2) ≈ 11.5°

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Wave Optics > Superposition, Resultant Amplitude and Intensity

In a double-slit experiment, if \( \lambda = 460 \, \text{nm} \), \( d = 0.2 \, \text{mm} \), and \( D = 2.0 \, \text{m}

**Intensity at point** in double-slit I = I_max cos²(φ/2), φ = (2π/λ)Δ, for Δ=λ/4 φ=π/2 I= I_max cos²(π/4)= I_max/2 =2I₀, for Δ=λ/3 φ=2π/3 I= I_max cos²(π/3)= I_max×0.25= I₀, for Δ=5λ/8 φ=5π/4? Actually φ=2π×5/8=5π/4, cos²(5π/8)=?, path difference for destructive φ=(2n+1)π, constructive 2nπ. Bright fringe position x_n = (n λ D/d) . For the third bright fringe, n = 3 . λ = 4.6 × 10⁻⁷ m , d = 2.0 × 10⁻⁴ m , D = 2.0 m . x₃ = (3 × 4.6 × 10⁻⁷ × 2.0/2.0 × 10⁻⁴) = 6.9 × 10⁻³ m = 6.9 mm . Using Δ = d sinθ, y =

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Wave Optics > Superposition, Resultant Amplitude and Intensity

In a single-slit diffraction pattern, what happens to the central maximum’s width if the wavelength is reduced to one-th

**Superposition principle** resultant displacement sum of individual, for two coherent waves amplitude a each, resultant amplitude A = √(a² + a² +2a² cosφ)=2a|cos(φ/2)|, phase difference φ, path difference Δ = (φ/2π)λ, for φ=π/2 A=√2 a, for φ=6π cos3π=-1? Actually φ=6π cos3π? A=2a|cos3π|=2a, for φ=4π A=2a, intensity I ∝ A², maximum I_max=4I₀ when φ=0, I=2I₀(1+cosφ)=4I₀ cos²(φ/2). Angular width 2θ = (2λ/a) . If λ is reduced to one-third, 2θ reduces to one-third. Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n λ, I = I₀ cos²θ, n = c/v, sinC = 1/n, λ' = λ/n and A = 2a cos(φ/2), calculation

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Wave Optics > Superposition, Resultant Amplitude and Intensity

What is the angular position of the first secondary maximum in a single-slit diffraction pattern if the slit width is \(

**Phase difference** corresponding to path difference Δ, φ =2π Δ/λ, for Δ=5λ/8 φ=5π/4, for Δ=9λ/4 φ=9π/2, for Δ=λ path difference φ=2π constructive, but for destructive condition path difference λ can be destructive if one reflection introduces π phase shift, resultant amplitude zero when φ=(2n+1)π. First secondary maximum occurs at θ ≈ (3λ/2a) . λ = 6.0 × 10⁻⁷ m , a = 6.0 × 10⁻⁶ m . sin θ = (3 × 6.0 × 10⁻⁷/2 × 6.0 × 10⁻⁶) = 0.15 , θ = sin⁻¹(0.15) ≈ 8.6° . Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n λ, I =

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Wave Optics > Superposition, Resultant Amplitude and Intensity

What is the intensity of light in the photon picture, according to the wave optics concept?

**Intensity at point** in double-slit I = I_max cos²(φ/2), φ = (2π/λ)Δ, for Δ=λ/4 φ=π/2 I= I_max cos²(π/4)= I_max/2 =2I₀, for Δ=λ/3 φ=2π/3 I= I_max cos²(π/3)= I_max×0.25= I₀, for Δ=5λ/8 φ=5π/4? Actually φ=2π×5/8=5π/4, cos²(5π/8)=?, path difference for destructive φ=(2n+1)π, constructive 2nπ. In the photon picture, intensity is determined by the number of photons crossing a unit area per unit time. Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n λ, I = I₀ cos²θ, n = c/v, sinC = 1/n, λ' = λ/n and A = 2a cos(φ/2), calculation gives Number of photons per unit area per unit time, illustrating interference, diffraction and polarization principles.

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Wave Optics > Superposition, Resultant Amplitude and Intensity

What is the resultant amplitude of two coherent waves of amplitude \( a \) with a phase difference of \( 7\pi/2 \)?

**Superposition principle** resultant displacement sum of individual, for two coherent waves amplitude a each, resultant amplitude A = √(a² + a² +2a² cosφ)=2a|cos(φ/2)|, phase difference φ, path difference Δ = (φ/2π)λ, for φ=π/2 A=√2 a, for φ=6π cos3π=-1? Actually φ=6π cos3π? A=2a|cos3π|=2a, for φ=4π A=2a, intensity I ∝ A², maximum I_max=4I₀ when φ=0, I=2I₀(1+cosφ)=4I₀ cos²(φ/2). Resultant amplitude A = 2a cos(Φ/2) . For Φ = (7π/2) , A = 2a cos((7π/4)) = 2a ((√(2)/2)) = a√(2) . Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n λ, I = I₀ cos²θ, n = c/v, sinC = 1/n, λ' = λ/n

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Wave Optics > Superposition, Resultant Amplitude and Intensity

What is the resultant amplitude when two coherent waves of amplitude \( a \) interfere with a phase difference of \( \pi

**Superposition principle** resultant displacement sum of individual, for two coherent waves amplitude a each, resultant amplitude A = √(a² + a² +2a² cosφ)=2a|cos(φ/2)|, phase difference φ, path difference Δ = (φ/2π)λ, for φ=π/2 A=√2 a, for φ=6π cos3π=-1? Actually φ=6π cos3π? A=2a|cos3π|=2a, for φ=4π A=2a, intensity I ∝ A², maximum I_max=4I₀ when φ=0, I=2I₀(1+cosφ)=4I₀ cos²(φ/2). Resultant amplitude A = 2a cos(Φ/2) . For Φ = π , A = 2a cos(π/2) = 2a × 0 = 0 . Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n λ, I = I₀ cos²θ, n = c/v, sinC = 1/n, λ' =

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Wave Optics > Superposition, Resultant Amplitude and Intensity

What is the phase difference corresponding to a path difference of \( 2\lambda \) in a double-slit experiment?

**Intensity at point** in double-slit I = I_max cos²(φ/2), φ = (2π/λ)Δ, for Δ=λ/4 φ=π/2 I= I_max cos²(π/4)= I_max/2 =2I₀, for Δ=λ/3 φ=2π/3 I= I_max cos²(π/3)= I_max×0.25= I₀, for Δ=5λ/8 φ=5π/4? Actually φ=2π×5/8=5π/4, cos²(5π/8)=?, path difference for destructive φ=(2n+1)π, constructive 2nπ. Phase difference Φ = (2π/λ) Δ . For Δ = 2λ , Φ = (2π/λ) · 2λ = 4π . Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n λ, I = I₀ cos²θ, n = c/v, sinC = 1/n, λ' = λ/n and A = 2a cos(φ/2), calculation gives 4π, illustrating interference, diffraction and polarization principles.

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Wave Optics > Superposition, Resultant Amplitude and Intensity

What is the phase difference corresponding to a path difference of \( 5\lambda/4 \) in a double-slit experiment?

**Phase difference** corresponding to path difference Δ, φ =2π Δ/λ, for Δ=5λ/8 φ=5π/4, for Δ=9λ/4 φ=9π/2, for Δ=λ path difference φ=2π constructive, but for destructive condition path difference λ can be destructive if one reflection introduces π phase shift, resultant amplitude zero when φ=(2n+1)π. Phase difference Φ = (2π/λ) Δ . For Δ = (5λ/4) , Φ = (2π/λ) · (5λ/4) = (5π/2) . Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n λ, I = I₀ cos²θ, n = c/v, sinC = 1/n, λ' = λ/n and A = 2a cos(φ/2), calculation gives (5π/2), illustrating interference, diffraction and polarization principles.

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Wave Optics > Superposition, Resultant Amplitude and Intensity

What is the resultant amplitude of two coherent waves of amplitude \( a \) with a phase difference of \( 5\pi/2 \)?

**Superposition principle** resultant displacement sum of individual, for two coherent waves amplitude a each, resultant amplitude A = √(a² + a² +2a² cosφ)=2a|cos(φ/2)|, phase difference φ, path difference Δ = (φ/2π)λ, for φ=π/2 A=√2 a, for φ=6π cos3π=-1? Actually φ=6π cos3π? A=2a|cos3π|=2a, for φ=4π A=2a, intensity I ∝ A², maximum I_max=4I₀ when φ=0, I=2I₀(1+cosφ)=4I₀ cos²(φ/2). Resultant amplitude A = 2a cos(Φ/2) . For Φ = (5π/2) , A = 2a cos((5π/4)) = 2a (-(√(2)/2)) = -a√(2) , magnitude a√(2) . Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n λ, I = I₀ cos²θ, n = c/v, sinC = 1/n,

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Wave Optics > Superposition, Resultant Amplitude and Intensity

What is the intensity at a point in a double-slit experiment where the path difference is \( 5\lambda/2 \), if the maxim

**Intensity at point** in double-slit I = I_max cos²(φ/2), φ = (2π/λ)Δ, for Δ=λ/4 φ=π/2 I= I_max cos²(π/4)= I_max/2 =2I₀, for Δ=λ/3 φ=2π/3 I= I_max cos²(π/3)= I_max×0.25= I₀, for Δ=5λ/8 φ=5π/4? Actually φ=2π×5/8=5π/4, cos²(5π/8)=?, path difference for destructive φ=(2n+1)π, constructive 2nπ. Intensity I = 4I₀ cos²(Φ/2) , where Φ = (2π/λ) Δ . For Δ = (5λ/2) , Φ = (2π/λ) · (5λ/2) = 5π , I = 4I₀ cos²((5π/2)) = 4I₀ × 0 = 0 . Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n λ, I = I₀ cos²θ, n = c/v, sinC = 1/n, λ' = λ/n

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Wave Optics > Superposition, Resultant Amplitude and Intensity

What is the intensity at a point in a double-slit experiment where the path difference is \( 7\lambda/2 \), if the maxim

**Superposition principle** resultant displacement sum of individual, for two coherent waves amplitude a each, resultant amplitude A = √(a² + a² +2a² cosφ)=2a|cos(φ/2)|, phase difference φ, path difference Δ = (φ/2π)λ, for φ=π/2 A=√2 a, for φ=6π cos3π=-1? Actually φ=6π cos3π? A=2a|cos3π|=2a, for φ=4π A=2a, intensity I ∝ A², maximum I_max=4I₀ when φ=0, I=2I₀(1+cosφ)=4I₀ cos²(φ/2). Intensity I = 4I₀ cos²(Φ/2) , where Φ = (2π/λ) Δ . For Δ = (7λ/2) , Φ = (2π/λ) · (7λ/2) = 7π , I = 4I₀ cos²((7π/2)) = 4I₀ × 0 = 0 . Using Δ = d sinθ, y = n λ D/d, a sinθ = n

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Wave Optics > Superposition, Resultant Amplitude and Intensity