22 Engineering Physics

Condition for Minima: In order to get destructive interference, the path difference
Ê 1ˆ
D = Án + ˜l (xii)
Ë 2¯
Ê 1ˆ
or 2 mt cos q + l /2 = Á n +˜l
Ë 2¯
2mt cos q = nl where, n = 0, 1, 2, 3, … (xiii)
(i) Nature of Fringes
For normal incidence of the light waves or a parallel incident beam, the incident angle remains constant and
hence the angle of refraction. If the light is monochromatic, then l is also fixed. Therefore, the change in path
difference will take place due to mt or thickness t of the film only. As we move outwards from the point of
contact O, the thickness of the film increases. However, at a particular place along a line parallel to the edge,
t has only one value. Since the locii of the points of constant thickness of the film are straight lines parallel to
the edge, straight bright and dark fringes parallel to the edge will be formed in the reflected light. If we use
the white light in place of monochromatic light, coloured fringes will be observed.
(ii) Derivation for Fringe Width
For a wedge shaped film the conditions of maxima and minima are reproduced below.
2mt cos (r + q) = (2n – 1)l/2
2mt cos (r + q) = nl
For normal incidence and small values of q the above conditions read as
2mt = (2n – 1)l/2 (xiv)
and 2mt = nl (xv)
If points A and C (Fig. 1.19) represent positions of two consecutive dark
fringes corresponding to film thicknesses AB = t1 and CD = t2 respectively, D
then the fringe width (w) will be equal to BE. Now from Eq. (xv), we get B q
E
the following condition corresponding to the points A and C.
q
2mt1 = nl and 2mt2 = (n + 1)l A C
or 2m(t2 – t1) = l Figure 1.19

or 2(CD – AB) = l
or 2(DE) = l (xvi)
But tan q = DE/BE or DE = BE tan q (xvii)
From Eqs. (xvi) and (xvii), we get
2m(BE tan q) = l
l
or BE = =w
2 m tan q
For smaller values of q, tan q ; q and we get
l
w= (xviii)
2 mq