MathsInDepth

Applied Physics Sem-1

Crash Course

CHAPTER
INTERFERENCE IN THIN FILM
Prerequisites:

Wave front and Huygens principle, reflection and refraction, Interference by division of wave

front, Young’s double slit experiment.

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Syllabus:
Interference by division of amplitude, Interference in thin film of constant thickness due to

reflected and transmitted light; origin of colours in thin film; Wedge shaped film; Newton’s

rings.

Applications of interference - Determination of thickness of very thin wire or foil;

determination of refractive index of liquid; wavelength of incident light; radius of curvature of

lens; testing of surface flatness; Anti-reflecting films and Highly reflecting film.

Note: Video Link is given next to the Question.

Please read the question carefully and then watch
its video
 THIN FILM OF UNIFORM THICKNESS

DERIVATIONS:

Explain the interference in thin film of constant thickness & Derive condition for maxima &

minima of light reflected from a thin transparent film of uniform thickness.

OR

Derive the condition for a thin transparent film of constant thickness to appear bright and

dark when viewed in reflected light.

THEORY:

1. Why does an excessively thin film appear to be perfect dark when illuminated by white

light?

OR

Explain why an extensive thin film appears black in reflected light.

2. What do you understand by a thin film?

Comment on the colours in thin film in sunlight.

3. Why is the visibility of the fringe much higher in the reflected system than in the

transmitted system?

WEDGE SHAPED THIN FILM

DERIVATIONS:

1. Derive the conditions for maxima & minima observed in thin wedge shaped film due to

interference of reflected light.

2. Derive the expression for fringe width.

THEORY:
Why are the fringes in the interference pattern by wedge shaped film straight?

NEWTON’S RING

DERIVATIONS:

1. Prove that the diameter of nth dark ring is proportional to square root of natural number

in case of reflected system.

2. How is newton’s experiment used to determine wavelength of monochromatic source of

light.

3. With the help of a proper diagram & necessary expression, explain how

newton’s ring experiment is used to determine radius of curvature of Plano

convex lens.

4. With proper derivation explain the effect of change of medium between lens and glass on

diameter of circular fringe in Newton’s Ring Experiment?

5. How is newton’s ring experiment used to determine refractive index of liquid

medium?

6. Derive expression for fringe width in Newton’s ring Experiment?

THEORY:

1. How can Newton’s ring be obtained in laboratory?

2. Why centre of interference pattern (reflected) is dark in Newton’s Ring?

3. Why are the Newton’s ring circular?

4. Suppose that in the experiment on the newton rings, first light of red colour is used &

then blue light which set of light would have larger diameter? Justify your answer with

proper expression.

5. Explain why the system of Newton’s rings observed by transmitted light is complementary

to that observed by reflected light?

NOW THIS YOU CAN DO IT. COME ON!!!!!! YOU CAN

APPLICATIONS OF THIN FILM

1. How will you test the optical flatness of surface by interference?

2. What do you understand by anti-reflective coating? Derive the amplitude and phase

condtition conditions with proper diagram.