24 Engineering Physics

Condition for Maxima: For constructive interference

D = nl (iii)
l
or 2t + = nl
2
l
or 2t = (2n – 1) where n = 0, 1, 2, 3... (iv)
2
Condition for Minima: For destructive interference
Ê 1ˆ
D = Án + ˜ l
Ë 2¯
l l
or 2t + = nl +
2 2
or 2t = nl where n = 0, 1, 2, 3… (v)
Diameter of Dark and Bright Rings: Let us consider the thickness of the air
film at point Q as t and r, as the radius of the fringe at that point together with R
as the radius of curvature of the lens (Fig. 1.21).
C
Hence, OC = CQ = R, HQ = rn
HC = R – t R
R
In right angled DCHQ H Q t
2 2 2
CQ = CH + HQ O P
2 rn
R2 = (R – t)2 + rn
or rn2 = 2Rt – t2 Figure 1.21

In actual practice, R is quite large and t is very small. Therefore, t2 may be neglected in comparison with 2Rt
\ rn2 = 2Rt
or rn2 = R ¥ 2t (vi)
For Bright Rings: From Eq. (iii), we get
l
2t = (2n - 1)
2
When we put this value of 2t in Eq. (vi), we get
l
rn2 = R ¥ (2n - 1)
2
2
Ê Dn ˆ l
ÁË ˜¯ = R ¥ (2n - 1)
2 2
or Dn2 = 2l R(2n - 1) (vii)

The above equation gives the diameter Dn of nth order bright fringe as
Dn = 2l R(2n - 1)
\ Dn µ (2n - 1) (viii)