48 Engineering Physics

or l2 = m + cos r = 1.33 ¥ 5 ¥ 10–7 ¥ 0.902

= 6.0 ¥ 10–7 m (approx)
In second order (n = 3)
3 ¥ l3 = 2mt + cos r
2 ¥ 1.33 ¥ 5.0 ¥ 10-7 ¥ 0.902
or l3 =
3
= 4000 Å (approx)
In second order (n = 4)
4 ¥ l4 = 2mt + cos r
2 ¥ 1.33 ¥ 5.0 ¥ 10-7 ¥ 0.902
or l4 =
4
= 3000 Å (approx)
Hence l2 and l3 wavelength of light in a visible spectrum will be absent.
E xamplE 29 Calculate the thickness of a soap film (m = 1.463) that will result in constructive interference
in the reflected light, if the film is illuminated normally with light whose wavelength in free space is 6000 Å.
Solution Given l = 6.0 ¥ 10–7 m, in this case n = 1, and for normal incidence i = 0 and r = 0
Condition for constructive interference 2mt cos r = (2n – 1) l/2
(2n - 1)l 1 ¥ 6.0 ¥ 10-7
t= =
4 m cos r 4 ¥ 1.463 ¥ 1
= 1.025 ¥ 10 –7 m.

E xamplE 30 A thin film is illuminated by white light at an angle of incidence (i = sin–1(4/5). In reflected
light, two dark consecutive overlapping fringes are observed corresponding to wavelengths 6.1 ¥ 10–7 m and
6.0 ¥ 1 0–7 m. The refractive index of the film is 4/3. Calculate the thickness of the film.
Solution Given l1 = 6.1 ¥ 10–7 m, l2 = 6.0 ¥ 10–7 m and m = 4/3
sin i sin i 4/5 3
m= or sin r = = =
sin r m 4/3 5
9 4
and cos r = 1 - sin 2 r = 1 - = = 0.8
25 5
Condition for dark fringes is
2mt cos r = nl1 = (n + 1)l2
or nl1 = (n + 1)l2
n ¥ 6.1 ¥ 10–7 = (n + 1) 6.0 ¥ 10–7
n(6.1 – 6.0) ¥ 10–7 = 6.0 ¥ 10–7
or n = 60
and 2mt cos r = nl1
60 ¥ 6.1 ¥ 10-7
or t=
4
2 ¥ ¥ 0.8
3
t = 1.716 ¥ 10 –2 mm