Edition (Global Edition) By Douglas C. Giancoli | All 33-42 Chapters Covered With
Questions And Verified Solutions With Detailed Rationales And Case Studies.
, TABLE OF CONTENT
VII. OPTICS
33.Wave Optics
34.Ray Optics
35.Optical Instruments
VIII. RELATIVITY AND QUANTUM PHYSICS
36.Relativity
37.The Foundations of Modern Physics
38.Quantization
39.Wave Functions and Uncertainty
40.One-Dimensional Quantum Mechanics
41.Atomic Physics
42.Nuclear Physics
,CHAPTER 33: WAVE OPTICS – STUDY RESOURCE
33.1 Multiple Choice Questions
1. In a Young's double-slit experiment, the slit separation is doubled while the wavelength of light
and the screen distance remain unchanged. What happens to the fringe spacing?
• A) It doubles
• B) It halves
• C) It quadruples
• D) It remains the same
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Fringe spacing (β) = λL/d. If d (slit separation) doubles, β = λL/(2d), which is half the
original value.
• A is incorrect because increasing d decreases β, not increases it.
• C is incorrect because quadrupling would require d to be quartered.
• D is incorrect because β is inversely proportional to d, so it must change.
2. What is the path difference between two waves from coherent sources arriving at the third
bright fringe (m=3) in a double-slit experiment?
• A) 1.5λ
• B) 2λ
• C) 3λ
• D) 3.5λ
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: For constructive interference (bright fringes), path difference = mλ, where m = 0, 1, 2,
3... For m=3, path difference = 3λ.
• A is incorrect (1.5λ gives destructive for m=1.5, not a bright fringe).
• B is incorrect (2λ corresponds to m=2).
• D is incorrect (3.5λ gives destructive interference).
3. In a single-slit diffraction experiment, the central maximum is widened when:
• A) The slit width is increased
• B) The wavelength is decreased
• C) The slit width is decreased
• D) The screen is moved closer
, Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The angular width of the central maximum is given by θ ≈ λ/a. Decreasing slit width (a)
increases θ, widening the central maximum.
• A is incorrect because increasing a narrows the central maximum.
• B is incorrect because decreasing λ narrows it.
• D is incorrect because moving the screen closer reduces the physical width on the screen,
though angular width remains unchanged.
4. A diffraction grating has 5000 lines/cm. What is the grating spacing (d)?
• A) 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ m
• B) 2.0 × 10⁻⁴ m
• C) 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ m
• D) 5.0 × 10⁻⁴ m
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: d = 1/(lines per meter) = 1/(5000 lines/cm × 100 cm/m) = 1/(5.0 × 10⁵) = 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ m.
• B is incorrect (this would be for 5000 lines/m, not cm).
• C is incorrect (this would be for 2000 lines/cm).
• D is incorrect (this is for 2000 lines/m).
5. For a diffraction grating, the condition for constructive interference is:
• A) d sin θ = (m + ½)λ
• B) d sin θ = mλ
• C) a sin θ = mλ
• D) d sin θ = mλ/2
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: For a grating, bright maxima occur when d sin θ = mλ, where m = 0, ±1, ±2, ... (same as
double-slit but with sharper peaks).
• A is incorrect – this is the condition for destructive interference in double-slit or thin films.
• C is incorrect – this is the single-slit diffraction minima condition (with a = slit width).
• D is incorrect – this would give half-integer multiples, which is not correct for gratings.
6. In a thin film interference scenario (soap film in air), a film appears blue in reflected light. If the
film thickness increases slightly, the reflected color would most likely: