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AP Learning Objectives
Physical optics
Interference and diffraction
Students should understand the interference and diffraction of
waves, so they can:
AP Learning Objectives
Physical optics
Apply the principles of interference and diffraction to waves that pass through
a single or double slit or through a diffraction grating, so they can:
AP Learning Objectives
Physical optics
Interference and diffraction
Students should understand the interference and diffraction
of waves, so they can:
Apply the principles of interference to light reflected by
thin films, so they can:
State under what conditions a phase reversal occurs
when light is reflected from the interface between
two media of different indices of refraction.
Determine whether rays of monochromatic light
reflected perpendicularly from two such interfaces
will interfere constructively or destructively, and
thereby account for Newtons rings and similar
phenomena, and explain how glass may be coated
to minimize reflection of visible light.
Table Of Contents
1. The Principle of Linear Superposition
Chapter 27:
Interference and the Wave Nature of
Light
Section 1:
The Principle of Linear
Superposition
The waves emitted by the sources start out in phase and arrive at
point P in phase, leading to constructive interference.
2 1 m
m 0,1,2,3,
The waves emitted by the sources start out in phase and arrive at
point P out of phase, leading to destructive interference.
2 1 m 12
m 0,1,2,3,
27.1.1. In a shallow pool of water, there are two needle-like dippers that
move up and down at the same constant frequency. The water
waves move outward from each source as shown in the drawing.
The wave crests, represented by solid lines, have an amplitude of
0.4 cm. What is the displacement of the water, relative to the
undisturbed water level, at the point labeled P?
a) +0.8 cm
b) +0.4 cm
c) zero cm
d) 0.4 cm
e) 0.8 cm
27.1.2. In a shallow pool of water, there are two needle-like dippers that
move up and down at the same constant frequency. The water
waves move outward from each source as shown in the drawing.
The wave crests, represented by solid lines, have an amplitude of
0.4 cm. What is the displacement of the water, relative to the
undisturbed water level, at the point labeled P?
a) +0.8 cm
b) +0.4 cm
c) zero cm
d) 0.4 cm
e) 0.8 cm
27.1.3. Two wave pulses are sent down a stretched out rope. Pulse A
is traveling toward the right with an amplitude of +2 mm. Pulse
B is traveling toward pulse A from the right to the left with an
amplitude of 4 mm. When the two pulses meet and completely
overlap, what will be the maximum displacement of the rope
relative to its undisurbed position?
a) zero mm
b) + 6 mm
c) + 2 mm
d) 2 mm
e) 4 mm
Chapter 27:
Interference and the Wave Nature of
Light
Section 2:
Youngs Double-Slit
Experiment
d sin
Bright fringes
of a double-slit
Dark fringes
of a double-slit
sin m
m 0,1,2,3,
sin m 12
m 0,1,2,3,
sin 1 m
664
10
m
1
sin 3
4
1.2010 m
0.951
27.2.1. You are sitting in a closed room with no windows. The only
light in the room originates from two identical bare, incandescent
light bulbs. One is located on the wall to your left; and the other is
located on the wall to your right. Bored, you look up at the ceiling
and realize there is no interference pattern. Why is there no
interference pattern?
a) The two light sources are not polarized.
d) The interference pattern is too small to observe with the naked eye.
e) Interference of light is never observed, but the diffraction of light
can easily be observed.
27.2.3. What happens to the locations of the maxima for double slit
interference when the size of the slits is reduced?
a) Reducing the size of the slits has no effect on the locations of the
maxima.
b) The distances between the maxima increase as the widths are
reduced.
c) The distances between the maxima decrease as the widths are
reduced.
d) Reducing the slit size only increases the number of maxima, but
the locations of the initial maxima are not changed.
e) Reducing the slit size only decreases the number of maxima, but
the locations of the initial maxima are not changed.
27.2.4. What happens to the width of the maxima for double slit
interference when the size of the slits is reduced?
a) Reducing the size of the slits has no effect on the size of the
maxima.
Chapter 27:
Interference and the Wave Nature of
Light
Section 3:
Thin-Film Interference
film
vacuum
n
Occurs when:
1
2t
film
2
Extra distance
traveledby
wave 2
Half - wavelength
net phase change
due to reflection
Condition for
constructive interference
Therefore,
m film
2
t
2
m 0, 1, 2, 3, ...
Occurs when:
1
2t
film
2
Extra distance
traveledby
wave 2
Half - wavelength
net phase change
due to reflection
1
3
5
film , film , film , ...
2
22
Condition for
constructive interference
Therefore,
m film
2
m 0, 1, 2, 3, ...
mfilm
t
2
t
Newtons Rings
If monochromatic light is
incident on an accurate
spherical surface which is
placed on an optically flat
plate
Circular Fringes are
created
Quick way to test the quality
of a lens for camera
manufacturers
27.3.1. A special system is set up in a lab that lets its user select any
wavelength between 400 nm and 700 nm with constant intensity.
This light is directed at a thin glass film (n = 1.53) with a thickness
of 350 nm and that is surrounded by air. As one scans through these
possible wavelengths, which wavelength of light reflected from the
glass film will appear to be the brightest, if any?
a) 428 nm
m 1
2
t
b) 535 nm
c) 657 nm
d) 700 nm
film
2
2t
m 1
2nt
m 1
film
Chapter 27:
Interference and the Wave Nature of
Light
Section 4:
The Michelson Interferometer
(AP?)
Michelson Interferometer
A schematic drawing of
a Michelson interferometer.
a)
N
2L
b)
N
1
2L
c)
N
L
2
d)
nN
L
2
e)
nN
Chapter 27:
Interference and the Wave Nature of
Light
Section 5:
Diffraction
Diffraction
Effect of /W on Diffraction
sin m
m 1,2,3,
d) The maxima are spaced farther apart and their width increases.
e) Only a narrow band of light is observed on the screen.
a) 0.002 m
b) 0.003 m
c) 0.004 m
d) 0.006 m
e) 0.008 m
a) 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm
b) 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm
c) 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm
d) 1.2 mm to 1.6 mm
e) 1.6 mm to 2.0 mm
Chapter 27:
Interference and the Wave Nature of
Light
Section 6:
Resolving Power
(AP?)
Resolving Power
sin 1.22
diameter of
hole
Rayleigh criterion
Two point objects are just resolved when the first dark fringe in
the diffraction pattern of one falls directly on the central bright
fringe in the diffraction patter of the other.
min 1.22
27.6.2. A special microscope has been set up that allows the user
to view a specimen using light from among the colors listed
below. Which of these would you choose to use for the best
resolution?
a) yellow
b) red
c) violet
d) blue
e) green
27.6.3. The Hubble Space Telescope in orbit above the Earth has
a 2.4 m circular aperture. The telescope has equipment for
detecting ultraviolet light. What is the minimum angular
separation between two objects that the Hubble Space
Telescope can resolve in ultraviolet light of wavelength 95
nm?
a) 4.8 108 rad
b) 7.0 108 rad
c) 1.9 107 rad
d) 1.5 107 rad
e) 3.3 109 rad
27.6.5. The headlights of a car are 1.6 m apart and produce light
of wavelength 575 nm in vacuum. The pupil of the eye of
the observer has a diameter of 4.0 mm and a refractive index
of 1.4. What is the maximum distance from the observer that
the two headlights can be distinguished?
a) 8.0 km
b) 9.1 km
c) 11 km
d) 13 km
e) 16 km
Chapter 27:
Interference and the Wave Nature of
Light
Section 7:
The Diffraction Grating
Diffraction Grating
An arrangement consisting of a large number of closely spaced,
parallel slits is called a diffraction grating.
Explanation of Diffraction
The conditions shown here lead to the first- and second-order intensity
maxima in the diffraction pattern.
Principal maxima of a
diffraction grating
sin m
m 0,1,2,3,
distance between
slits
410
10
m
1
1
violet
sin
24
sin
6
1.0
10
m
d
9
red
1 660 10 m
sin
41
sin
6
d
1.010 m
1
27.7.1. Two monochromatic beams of light, one red and one blue, are directed at
the same spot on a diffraction grating. The resultant diffraction pattern is
observed on a screen located a short distance behind the grating. Which of
the following best describes the observed pattern?
a) The central maximum appears to be purple. The maxima on each side would
alternate, first red, then blue.
b) The central maximum appears to be purple. The maxima on each side would
alternate, first blue, then red.
c) The central maximum is red. The maxima on each side would alternate, first
blue, then red.
d) The central maximum is blue. The maxima on each side would alternate, first
red, then blue.
e) The central maximum is blue. The maxima on each side would alternate, first
blue, then red.
a) A, B, C
b) B, A, C
c) C, A, B
d) A, C, B
e) B, C, A
Chapter 27:
Interference and the Wave Nature of
Light
Section 8:
Compact Discs, Digital Video
Discs, and the Use of
Interference
(AP?)
No interference or
destructive
Photoreceptor interprets as 1
or 0 for binary code.
previous described.
Chapter 27:
Interference and the Wave Nature of
Light
Section 9:
X-Ray Diffraction
(AP?)
X-ray Diffraction
NaCl
DNA