Question Bank – Diffraction, Interference, Iridescence

14. A beam of coherent light is incident on a single slit of width b. After passing through the
slit, the light is incident on a screen at a distance D from the slit.

d
L

Which of the following changes, carried out separately, in respect of d and L will result
in an increase in width of the first diffraction maximum formed on the screen?

d L
A. decrease increase
B. increase increase
C. decrease decrease
D. increase decrease

20. This question is about diffraction.

(a) Plane wavefronts of monochromatic light of wavelength λ are incident on a narrow

slit.
After passing through the slit they are incident on a screen placed a large distance
from the slit.
 The width of the slit is b and the point X is at the centre of the slit. The point M on
the screen is the position of the first minimum of the diffraction pattern formed on
the screen.
The path difference between light from the top edge of the slit and light from the
bottom edge of the slit is l.

Use the diagram to explain why the distance l is equal to λ.

21. This question is about the diffraction of light.

(a) (i) Describe what is meant by the diffraction of light.

36. This question is about two-source interference.

A double slit is arranged so that its plane is normal to a beam of laser light, as
shown below.

The wavelength of the light is 640 nm. The slit separation in the double slit
arrangement is 0.85 mm. Coherent light emerges from the slits and an interference
 pattern is observed on a screen. The screen is parallel to the plane of the double
slits. The distance between the slits and the screen is 2.4 m.

(a) (i) State what is meant by coherent light. (1)

(ii) Explain how an interference pattern is formed on the screen. (3)

(b) Calculate the separation of the fringes in the interference pattern on the screen. (2)

(c) The interference pattern in (b) consists of a series of alternate light and dark
fringes. The intensity of the light from one slit is now reduced. Suggest the effect
on the appearance of the fringes. (2)

(Total 8 marks)

38. This question is about interference.

Monochromatic, coherent light is incident on two narrow parallel slits whose widths are
small compared to their separation. After passing through the slits the light is brought to
a focus on a screen producing interference fringes. Point X is the midpoint of the slits.

The angular position of a point on the screen is determined by the angle θ.

(a) (i) Explain why the intensity of light at θ = 0 will be a maximum.

39. This question is about two-source interference.

(a) Light from a laser is incident on two identical parallel slits whose width is small
compared to their separation.
(diagram not to scale)

After passing through the slits the light is incident on a screen. The separation of
the slits is 0.50 mm and the distance between slits and screen is 2.0 m. The
wavelength of the light is 700 nm.

(i) State why a laser is used as the light source. (1)

(ii) Determine the separation of points of maximum intensity on the screen. (2)

(iii) Describe the effect that increasing the number of slits would have on the intensity
pattern on the screen.

43. This question is about thin film interference.

(a) The diagram below shows a ray of monochromatic light incident on a thin film in
air.

On the diagram, draw the paths of rays that would give rise to interference as seen
by an eye in the region near E. (2)

(b) White light is incident on a soap bubble. Explain why the soap film appears
coloured. (2)

(Total 4 marks)
Markschemes – Diffraction, Interference, Iridescence
14. A
20. (a) Look for an argument that considers destructive interference between
light from elements of the slit e.g.
consider light from the top edge of the slit and light from X then for

a destructive interference at M the path difference between them is 2 ;
this will be true for all elements of the slit that are paired with
elements below X / OWTTE;
some conclusion e.g. for this to be true then l must equal λ;

21. (a) (i) spreading out of light;

beyond that predicted by the geometric pattern / by the obstacle
shape / OWTTE;

36. (a) (i) (light from the slits has) constant phase difference; 1

(ii) when two (or more) waves meet;

resultant displacement;
is sum of individual displacements; 3

or

when the path difference;

is an integral/half-integral multiple of the wavelength;
constructive/destructive interferences take place;
Allow amplitude for 3rd mark.

d 640 10 9  2.4

(b) x= a 0.85  10  3 ;
1.8 × 10–3 m; 2

(c) bright fringes are less bright;

dark fringes are brighter; 2

38. (a) (i) at θ = 0 the path difference (between light from the two slits) is zero;
and so constructive interference takes place;

39. (a) (i) coherent source; 1

  D
(ii) θ = d and spacing = Lθ → spacing = L d or use of s = d ;
 2.0  700 10 9 
  
 5  10 4
spacing =   2.8 mm; 2

(iii) sharpen the maxima / finer maxima;

greater contrast between minimum and maximum / brighter maxima; 2

43. (a) correct reflections at both surfaces;

correct refraction at top surface; 2

(b) for one angle of viewing, one colour interferes destructively/
another interferes constructively;
white light minus that colour is seen / colour seen is determined
by colour that interferes constructively;
at different viewing angle, different colour interferes destructively/
constructively; 2 max