ANSWERS

RAY OPTICS

Derive a relation between critical angle and refractive index of a medium.

Consider a light ray travelling from denser medium (b) to a rarer medium a.

According to Snell’s law,

sini
a
μa 
sinr

Where, b represents denser medium to rarer medium.

At i  ic , r  90o
sinic
b
μa   sinic
sin 90o

1
But bμa  a
μb
Therefore
1
a
μb 
sinic

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Derive the relation between the distance of object, distance of image and radius of
curvature of convex spherical surface, when refraction takes place from rarer to
denser medium and image formed is real.
Consider an object placed at O and its real image is formed at I as shown.

In NOC, i is an exterior angle, therefore,

iαγ
Similarly, from NIC, we have
γ r β
r  γ β

Suppose, all the rays are paraxial. Then the angles i, r, α, β and γ will be small.

NM NM
 α  tan α  
OM OP
NM NM
β  tanβ  
MI PI
NM NM
γ  tan γ  
MC PC

From Snell’s law of refraction,

sini μ2

sinr μ1

As i and r are small, therefore

i μ2

r μ1

 μ1i  μ2r
 μ1  α  γ   μ2  γ  β 
 NM NM   NM NM 
 μ1     μ2   
 OP PC   PC PI 
 1 1   1 1
 μ1     μ2   
 OP PC   PC PI 
μ μ μ  μ1
 1  2  2
OP PI PC

Using Cartesian sign convention,

Object distance OP  u

Image distance PI   v
Radius of curvature PC = +R

μ1 μ2 μ2  μ1
  
u v R

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Derive the expression for lens maker’s formula.

Consider an object placed at O whose final image is formed at I as shown. Let the image
formed by first surface is at I1. This image will act as on abject for the second surface.

For refraction at first surface, we have

μ2 μ1 μ2  μ1
   (i)
v1 u R1
for refraction at second surface we have
μ1 μ2 μ1  μ2
  (ii)
v v1 R2
adding (i) and (ii) we get
μ1 μ1 1 1
  μ2  μ1    
v u  R1 R 2 
1 1  μ  μ1   1 1
   2   
v u  μ1   R1 R2 

If object is placed at infinity ( u   ), the image is formed at focus, i.e. v = f. Therefore,

1  μ2  μ1   1 1
   
f  μ1   R1 R2 
 1  μ2  1 1
    1   
f  μ1   R1 R 2 
1 1  1

f

 μ2  1   R1  
R2 
 1

This result is lens maker’s formula.

Derive a relation between angle of deviation, angle of prism and refractive index of
prism.

Consider a ray PQ incident of one face of a prism as shown. The path of ray inside the prism
and refracted ray is also shown.

From quadrilateral AQNR

A  QNR  180o
From the triangle QNR
r  r ' QNR  180o
 A  r ' r

Now, from the triangle MQR, the deviation produced by the prism

δ  MQR  MRQ   i  r    i' r ' 

or δ   i  i'    r  r ' 
or δ  i  i' A
or i  i'  A  δ

For refraction at face AB, we have

sini i
μ   i  μr
sinr r
For refraction at face AC, we have

sini' i'
μ   i'  μr '
sinr ' r '

Hence deviation produced by the prism is

δ  i  i' A  μr  μr ' A
 δ  μ  r  r '   A  μA  A
 δ  μ  1 A

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Derive prism formula

Or

Derive a relation for refractive index of a prism in terms of angle of minimum

deviation.

When a prism is in the position of minimum deviation, a ray of light passes symmetrically
(parallel to base) through the prism, so that

i  i', r  r ', δ  δm

As

A  δ  i  i'
A  δm
 A  δm  i  i' or i 
2
Also A  r  r '  r  r  2r
A
 r
2

From Snell’s law, the refractive index of the material of the prism will be

 A  δm 
sin  
sini  2 
μ or μ
sinr A
sin  
2

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Derive an expression for magnifying power of a simple microscope when final image
in formed at

a. Least distance of distinct vision.

b. Infinity

When final image is formed at least distance of distinct vision

The image A’B’ of an object AB is formed at least distance of distinct vision ‘D’ as shown.
Let A ' OB '  β . Imagine the object AB to be placed to position A ''B ' at distance D from

the lens. Let A '' OB '  α . Then, magnifying power,

β tanβ
m  [since α and β are small]
α tan α

AB / OB AB / OB
  [ A ''B '  AB]
A ''B '/ OB ' AB / OB '
OB ' D
 
OB  x
D
or m 
x

Let f be the focal length of the lens. As the image is formed at least distance of distinct vision
from the lens, so

v  D

Using thin lens formula,

1 1 1
 
v u f
we get
1 1 1
 
D  x f
1 1 1
  
x D x
D D
  1
x f
D
 m  1
f

When final image is formed at infinity

From fig (a)

h
tanβ 
f

From fig (b)

h
tan α 
D
h/f
m 
h/D
D
 or m 
f

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Derive an expression for magnifying power of a compound microscope when final

image in formed at
 a. Least distance of distinct vision.
b. Infinity

When final image is formed at least distance of distinct vision

The object AB is placed at uo slightly larger than the focal length fo of the objective O. The

object forms a real, inverted and magnified image A’B’ on the other side of the lens. This
image acts as an object for the eyepiece which essentially acts like a simple microscope.
The eyepiece E forms a virtual and magnified final image A’’B’’ of the object.

β tanβ h '/ ue h' D

Magnifying power, m     .  mome
α tan α h / D h ue

h ' vo
Here, mo  
h uo

As the eyepiece acts as a simple microscope, so

D D
me   1
ue fe
vo  D
m  1  
uo  fe 

When final image is formed at infinity

 D
me 
fe
L D
m 
fo fe

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WAVE OPTICS

Derive law of reflection using Huygens principles (or wave theory of light).

Consider a beam of light LM, whose wave front AP reaches A’P’ in time t, hence for any
point Q on the AP wave front must also reach A’P’ in time t.

Let speed of light in the medium be c, then

PP’ = ct and AA’ = ct

In AP 'P and AA 'P '
PP '  AA ' [Proved above]
AP'  AP ' [common]
APP '  AA 'P ' [both 90o ]
 AP 'P AA 'P' [by RHS congruence rule]
 i  r [by cpct]

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Derive Snell’s law using Huygens principles (or wave theory of light).

Let speed of light in medium 1 be c1 and speed of light in medium 2 be c2.

Let time taken by light to travel from AP to A’P’ be t, then

PP'  c1t , AA '  c 2 t

In ABD
BD
sini 
AD
In ADC
AC
sinr 
AD
BD

sini
 AD  BD  c1t  c1
sinr AC AC c 2 t c 2
AD
c
Also 12  1
c2
sini
1  2 
sinr
Which is Snell’s law.
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Derive an expression for amplitude of resultant wave when two waves superimpose
on each other.

Suppose the displacement of two light waves from two coherent sources at point P on the
observation screen at any time t are given by

y1  a1 sin ωt
y 2  a2 sin(ωt  φ)

Where a1 and a2 are the amplitudes of two light waves, φ is the constant phase difference
between the two waves. By the superposition principle, the resultant displacement at point P
is

y  y1  y 2  a1 sinωt  a2 sin  ωt  φ 
 a1 sin ωt  a2 sinωt cos φ  a2 cos ωt sin φ
or
y   a1  a2 cos φ  sinωt  a2 sinφ cos ωt

Put

 a1  a2 cos φ   A cos θ ....(i)

and a2 sinφ  A sin θ .....(ii)

Then

y  A cos θ sin ωt  A sinθ cos ωt

or y  A sin  ωt  θ 

Which is the equation of resultant wave.

Squaring and adding (i) and (ii), we get

A 2 cos2 θ  A 2 sin2 θ   a1  a2 cos φ   a22 sin2 φ

2

 
A 2 cos2 θ  sin2 θ  a12  a22 (cos2 φ  sin2 φ)  2a1a2 cos φ

A  a12  a22  2a1a2 cos φ

Derive an expression for intensity at any point on the observation screen in young’s
double slit experiment.

Since intensity of a wave  (amplitude)2

Let I  kA 2 , I1  ka12 , I2  ka22 where k is proportionality constant.

The above equation can be written as

kA 2  ka12  ka22  2 ka1 ka2 cos φ

or
I  I1  I2  2 I1I2 cos φ

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Derive an expression for fringe width in Young’s double slit experiment.

From the diagram of experimental setup of Young’s double slit experiment, consider a point
P on the screen at distance x from centre O. The nature of the interference at the point P
depends on path difference,

p  S2P  S1P
From right angled S2BP and S1AP
S2P2  S1P2  S2B2  PB2   S1A 2  PA 2 
  d  
2
 d 
2

 D2   x     D2   x   
  2     2  

Or
 S2P  S1P  S2P  S1P   2xd
2xd
or S2P  S1P 
S2P  S1P

In practice, the point P lies very close to O, therefore

S1P  S2P  D.Hence

2xd
p  S2P  S1P 
2D
xd
or p
D

Position of bright fringes

xnd
p  nλ
D
nλD
or x n 
d

Where xn is the distance of nth bright band from centre of screen.

Width of dark fringe = distance between two consecutive bright fringes

βdark  x n  x n1
nDλ  n  1 Dλ Dλ
  
d d d

Position of dark fringes

x n' d λ
p   2n  1
D 2
Dλ
or x 'n   2n  1
2d

Where xn' is the distance of nth dark fringe from centre of screen.

Width of bright fringe = separation between two consecutive dark fringes

 xn'  xn' 1
Dλ Dλ Dλ
  2n  1   2  n  1  1 
2d 2d d

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DUAL NATURE OF MATTER AND RADIATION

Deduce an expression for the de Broglie wavelength of a particle of mass m moving

with velocity v. Hence derive de Broglie wavelength of an electron accelerated
through a potential difference of V volts.

Considering photon as an electromagnetic wave of frequency ν , its energy from Planck’s

quantum theory is given by

E  hν

Where h is Planck’s constant. Considering photon as a particle of mass m, the energy

associated with it is given by Einstein’s mass energy relationship as

E  mc 2

From equations (i) and (ii), we get

hv  mc 2
hc
  mc 2
λ
h h
λ 
mc p

According the de Broglie hypothesis, the above equation must be true for material particles
like electrons, protons, neutrons etc. Hence a particle of mass m moving with velocity v must
be associated with a matter wave of wavelength λ given by

h h
λ 
mv p

 p  2m(KE)
and KE  qV
 h
λ 
2m(qV)
As, h  6.62  1034 Js
m  9.11 10 31kg
q  1.6  10 19 C
We get
12.27 o
λ AB
V

ATOMS

Using Bohr’s postulates, derive an expression for the velocity of an electron revolving
in an orbit. Also show that the velocity of electron in innermost orbit of H atom is
1/137 of times the speed of light.

Consider an electron of mass m and charge e revolving with velocity v around a nucleus
having atomic number z. Then the centripetal force required by the electron is provided by
electrostatic force of attraction between nucleus and electron according to equation

mv 2 k  Ze  e

r r2
kZe2
 mv 2  ....(i)
r
According to Bohr’s quantum condition for angular momentum

nh
mvr  ....(ii)
2π

Expression for velocity

kZe2
From (i) r  ....(iii)
mv 2

nh
From (ii) r  ....(iv)
2πmv

Therefore

nh kZe2

2πmv mv 2
 2πkZe2
 v
nh

Putting
,
π  3.14, k  9  109 Nm2C2 , Z  1, e  1.6  10 19 C,n  1 and h  6.62  1034 Js

we get

 1 
v  c
 137 

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Using Bohr’s postulates, derive an expression for the radii of the permitted orbits in
the hydrogen atom.

Putting the value of v obtained above in equation (iv), we get

nh nh
r .
2πm 2πkZe2
n 2h 2
 r
4π 2mkZe2

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Using Bohr’s postulates, derive an expression for the total energy of an electron
revolving in an orbit.

Kinetic energy of electron in nth orbit

1 kZe2
K.E  mv 2  [Using equation (i)]
2 2r

Potential energy of electron in nth orbit is

q1q2 (Ze)( e) Ze2

P.E  k k  k
r r r

Total energy T.E = P.E + K.E

Ze2 Ze2 Ze2

T.E  k k  k
2r r 2r

Putting the value of r, we get

 kZe2 4π 2mkZe2
T.E   .
2 n2h2

2π 2mk 2 Z2 e4
 T.E  
n 2h 2

On the basis of Bohr’s theory, derive an expression for the wavelength of emitted
photon when an electron comes back from a higher state n2 to a lower state n1.

From Bohr’s theory, the energy of an electron in the nth orbit of hydrogen atom is given by
2π 2mk 2 Z2 e 4 1
En   . 2
h2 n

According to Bohr’s condition, whenever an electron makes a transition from a higher energy
level n2 to lower energy level n1, the difference of energy appears in the form of a photon is
given by

hv  En2  En1
1
2π 2mk 2 e4 1
 hv   2  2
h2  n1 n2 
c 2π 2mk 2 e 4  1 1
  3  2  2
λ h  n1 n2 

1 2π 2mk 2 e 4  1 1
  3  2  2
λ ch  n1 n2 
1 1 1
 R 2  2 
λ  n1 n2 
2π 2mk 2 e4
where R  , is the Rydberg constant
ch3

NUCLEI

Derive an expression for the density of nucleus. Hence show that the density is
independent of mass number.

Let A be the mass number and R be the radius of a nucleus. If m is the average mass of a
nucleon, then

Mass of nucleus = mA
Volume of nucleus

4 3
 R
3
3
4  1
 4
   Ro A 3   Ro A
3   3

Therefore, nuclear density

Mass of nuclues

Volume of nucleus

mA 3m
 
4 3 4R3o
Ro A
3

Clearly, density of nucleus is independent of mass number A or the size of the nucleus.

Taking m  1.67  1027 kg , Ro  1.2  10 15 m , we get

  2.30  1017 kgm3 which is very large as compared to the density of ordinary matter.