BoardPhysics

Wave Optics

33 Board Physics previous year questions on Wave Optics — options free on every question; 3 include the answer & explanation free, the rest unlock with PYQ Pass.

Q1 FREE PREVIEW
PYQ

A ring of radius 3 cm has a soap film which is getting evaporated. Light of wavelength \(\lambda=580 \mathrm{~nm}\) gives minimum transmission every 12 s . Find the rate of evaporation. (Refractive index=1.45)(Shift - II Memory Based)

a

\(\begin{aligned}& 1.5 \pi \times 10^{-13} \mathrm{~m}^3 / \mathrm{s}\end{aligned}\)

b

\(\begin{aligned}& 15 \pi \times 10^{-12} \mathrm{~m}^3 / \mathrm{s}\end{aligned}\)

c

\(\begin{aligned}& 3 \pi \times 10^{-13} \mathrm{~m}^3 / \mathrm{s}\end{aligned}\)

d

\(\begin{aligned}& 3 \pi \times 10^{-12} \mathrm{~m}^3 / \mathrm{s}\end{aligned}\)

✓ Correct answer: b)

\(\begin{aligned}& 15 \pi \times 10^{-12} \mathrm{~m}^3 / \mathrm{s}\end{aligned}\)

Explanation

To find the rate of evaporation of the soap film, we need to determine the rate at which its thickness decreases over time.

Step 1: Understanding the Given Data
  • Wavelength of light: \(\lambda =580\) = \(580\times 1{0}^{−9}\)
  • Refractive index of soap film: \(\mu =1.45\)
  • Minimum transmission occurs every \(T=12\)
  • Radius of the ring: \(r=3\) = \(0.03\)
Step 2: Condition for Minimum Transmission

A thin-film interference pattern changes when the optical path difference changes by half a wavelength in the medium:

\(∆t=\frac{\lambda }{2\mu }\)​

This means that the thickness decreases by:

\(\Delta t=\frac{\lambda }{2\mu }\)​

Substituting values:

\(\Delta t=\frac{580\times 1{0}^{−9}}{2\times 1.45}\)

\(\Delta t=\frac{580\times 1{0}^{−9}}{2.9}\)

​ \(\Delta t=200\times 1{0}^{−9}\text{ m}=2\times 1{0}^{−7}\text{ m}\)

This thickness decreases every 12 seconds, so the rate of evaporation per second:

\(\frac{∆t}{dt}=\frac{2\times 1{0}^{−7}\text{ m}}{12}\)​ \(=1.67\times 1{0}^{−8}\text{ m/s}\)

Step 3: Finding the Volume Evaporation Rate

The evaporating volume per second is:

\(\text{Rate of evaporation}=\text{Surface area}\times \frac{∆t}{dt}\)\(=\pi {r}^{2}\times \frac{∆t}{dt}\)​

Substituting values:

\(=\pi (0.03{)}^{2}\times (1.67\times 1{0}^{−8})\)

\(=\pi (9\times 1{0}^{−4})\times (1.67\times 1{0}^{−8})\)

\(=15\pi \times 1{0}^{−12}{\text{ m}}^{3}\mathrm{/}\text{s}\)

Step 4: Choosing the Correct Option

From the given options, the correct answer : \(15\pi \times 1{0}^{−12}\)

Q2 FREE PREVIEW
PYQ

A Young's double-slit experimental set up is kept in a medium of refractive index \(\left(\frac{4}{3}\right)\). Which maximum in this case will coincide with the \({6}^{\text{th }}\) maximum obtained if the medium is replaced by air?

a

\({4}^{\mathrm{th}}\)

b

\({6}^{\text{th }}\)

c

\({8}^{\text{th }}\)

d

10th

✓ Correct answer: c)

\({8}^{\text{th }}\)

Explanation

For the \({6}^{th}\)Sv6Kpe[] maximum in air to coincide with the \({n}^{th}\)Sv6Kpe[] maximum in the medium, their fringe positions must be equal:Sv6Kpe[]

    Sv6Kpe[]

Sv6Kpe[]

\({y}_{6,air}=\frac{6{\lambda }_{air}D}{d}\) \({y}_{n,medium}=\frac{n{\lambda }_{medium}D}{d}=\frac{n(\frac{{\lambda }_{air}}{4/3})D}{d}\) Solving for \(n\)Sv6Kpe[]Sv6Kpe[]: Setting the two equations equal:Sv6Kpe[] \(\frac{6{\lambda }_{air}D}{d}=\frac{n(\frac{{\lambda }_{air}}{4/3})D}{d}\) \(6=\frac{n}{(4/3)}\) \(6=n\times \frac{3}{4}\) \(n=6\times \frac{4}{3}=8\)
Q3 FREE PREVIEW
PYQ

A glass slab of refractive index \({\mu }_{0}=1.44\) is coated with a thin film of refractive index \({\mu }_{f}=2\). The minimum thickness of the film, so that maximum transmission of green light of wavelength λ = 5000A˚ (incident normally) takes place, is:

(Shift II Memory Based)

a

625A˚

b

2500A˚

c

1250A˚

d

1000A˚

✓ Correct answer: c)

1250A˚

Explanation

To achieve maximum transmission of green light, the thin film must cause destructive interference for the light reflected from its top and bottom surfaces. This is a standard case of thin-film interference, and the condition for minimum thickness for maximum transmission (destructive reflection) is:

\(2\mathrm{n}\mathrm{t}=\mathrm{m}\lambda\)

where: n is the refractive index of the film, t is the thickness of the film, \(\lambda\) is the wavelength of light in the medium of the film, m is the order of interference (minimum for the thinnest film).

Here, m = 1

So, \(\mathrm{t}=\frac{\mathrm{m}\lambda }{2\mathrm{n}}=\frac{1\times 5000}{2\times 2}=1250\overset{^\circ }{\mathrm{A}}\)

Q4
PYQ

In a Young's Double Slit Experiment (YDSE), for a wavelength \({\lambda }_{1}=600nm\), the 10th bright fringe is observed at a distance of 10 mm from the central maximum.For a new wavelength \({\lambda }_{2}=660nm\), what will be the distance of the 10th bright fringe from the central maximum?

(Shift - I Memory based)

a

9

b

10

c

11

d

12

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Q5
PYQ

A ring of radius 3 cm has a soap film which is getting evaporated. Light of wavelength \(\lambda=580 \mathrm{~nm}\) gives minimum transmission every 12 s . Find the rate of evaporation. (Refractive index=1.45)(Shift - II Memory Based)

a

\(\begin{aligned}& 1.5 \pi \times 10^{-13} \mathrm{~m}^3 / \mathrm{s}\end{aligned}\)

b

\(\begin{aligned}& 15 \pi \times 10^{-12} \mathrm{~m}^3 / \mathrm{s}\end{aligned}\)

c

\(\begin{aligned}& 3 \pi \times 10^{-13} \mathrm{~m}^3 / \mathrm{s}\end{aligned}\)

d

\(\begin{aligned}& 3 \pi \times 10^{-12} \mathrm{~m}^3 / \mathrm{s}\end{aligned}\)

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Q6
PYQ

The width of one of the two slits in Young's double slit experiment is d while that of the other slit is \(x\mathrm{d}\). If the ratio of the maximum to the minimum intensity in the interference pattern on the screen is \(9:4\) then what is the value of \(x\) ?
(Assume that the field strength varies according to the slit width.)

[JEE Main 2025, 23 Jan (Shift 2)]

a

5

b

25

c

4

d

3

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Q7
PYQ

The width of one of the two slits in Young's double slit experiment is d while that of the other slit is \(x\mathrm{d}\). If the ratio of the maximum to the minimum intensity in the interference pattern on the screen is \(9:4\) then what is the value of \(x\) ?
(Assume that the field strength varies according to the slit width.)

[JEE Main 2025, 23 Jan (Shift 2)]

a

5

b

25

c

4

d

3

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Q8
PYQ

In a Young's double-slit experiment, the fringe width is found to be \(\beta\). If the entire apparatus is immersed in a liquid of refractive index \(\mu\), the new fringe width will be :

a

\(\beta\)

b

\(\mu \beta\)

c

\(\frac{\beta}{\mu}\)

d

\(\frac{\beta}{\mu^2}\)

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Q9
PYQ

A plane wavefront is incident on a concave mirror of radius of curvature \(\mathrm{R}\). The radius of the refracted wavefront will be :

a

\(2 \mathrm{R}\)

b

\(\mathrm{R}\)

c

\(\frac{\mathrm{R}}{2}\)

d

\(\frac{\mathrm{R}}{4}\)

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Q10
PYQ

Two slits in Young's double slit experiment are \(1.5\mathrm{mm}\) apart and the screen is placed at a distance of \(1\mathrm{m}\) from the slits. If the wavelength of light used is \(600\times {10}^{-9}\mathrm{m}\) then the fringe separation is :

[Re-NEET 2024]

a

\(4\times {10}^{-5}\mathrm{m}\)

b

\(9\times {10}^{-8}\mathrm{m}\)

c

\(4\times {10}^{-7}\mathrm{m}\)

d

\(4\times {10}^{-4}\mathrm{m}\)

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Q11
PYQ

If the monochromatic source in Young's double slit experiment is replaced by white light, then

[NEET 2024]

a

interference pattern will disappear.

b

there will be a central dark fringe surrounded by a few coloured fringes.

c

there will be a central bright white fringe surrounded by a few coloured fringes.

d

all bright fringes will be of equal width.

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Q12
PYQ

The Young's double slit interference experiment is performed using light consisting of 480 nm and 600 nm wavelengths to form interference patterns. The least number of the bright fringes of 480 nm light that are required for the first coincidence with the bright fringes formed by 600 nm light is

a

6

b

8

c

5

d

4

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Q13
PYQ

Light emerges out of a convex lens when a source of light kept at its focus. The shape of wavefront of the light is :

a

Cylindrical

b

Both spherical and cylindrical

c

Spherical

d

Plane

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Q14
PYQ

A glass slab of refractive index \({\mu }_{0}=1.44\) is coated with a thin film of refractive index \({\mu }_{f}=2\). The minimum thickness of the film, so that maximum transmission of green light of wavelength λ = 5000A˚ (incident normally) takes place, is:

(Shift II Memory Based)

a

625A˚

b

2500A˚

c

1250A˚

d

1000A˚

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Q15
PYQ

The Young's double slit interference experiment is performed using light consisting of 480 nm and 600 nm wavelengths to form interference patterns. The least number of the bright fringes of 480 nm light that are required for the first coincidence with the bright fringes formed by 600 nm light is

a

6

b

8

c

5

d

4

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Q16
PYQ

A Young's double-slit experimental set up is kept in a medium of refractive index \(\left(\frac{4}{3}\right)\). Which maximum in this case will coincide with the \({6}^{\text{th }}\) maximum obtained if the medium is replaced by air?

a

\({4}^{\mathrm{th}}\)

b

\({6}^{\text{th }}\)

c

\({8}^{\text{th }}\)

d

10th

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Q17
PYQ

Young's double slit inteference apparatus is immersed in a liquid of refractive index 1.44. It has slit separation of 1.5 mm. The slits are illuminated by a parallel beam of light whose wavelength in air is 690 nm. The fringe-width on a screen placed behind the plane of slits at a distance of 0.72 m, will be :

a

0.33 mm

b

0.63 mm

c

0.46 mm

d

0.23 mm

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Q18
PYQ

A Young's double-slit experimental set up is kept in a medium of refractive index \(\left(\frac{4}{3}\right)\). Which maximum in this case will coincide with the \({6}^{\text{th }}\) maximum obtained if the medium is replaced by air?

a

\({4}^{\mathrm{th}}\)

b

\({6}^{\text{th }}\)

c

\({8}^{\text{th }}\)

d

10th

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Q19
PYQ

When unpolarized light is incident at an angle of \(60^{\circ}\) on a transparent medium from air, the reflected ray is completely polarized. The angle of refraction in the medium is:

a

\(60^{\circ}\)

b

\(45^{\circ}\)

c

\(90^{\circ}\)

d

\(30^{\circ}\)

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Q20
PYQ

A Young's double-slit experimental set up is kept in a medium of refractive index \(\left(\frac{4}{3}\right)\). Which maximum in this case will coincide with the \({6}^{\text{th }}\) maximum obtained if the medium is replaced by air?

a

\({4}^{\mathrm{th}}\)

b

\({6}^{\text{th }}\)

c

\({8}^{\text{th }}\)

d

10th

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Q21
PYQ

Assertion (A) : In a Young's double-slit experiment, interference pattern is not observed when two coherent sources are infinitely close to each other.
Reason (R) : The fringe width is proportional to the separation between the two sources.

a

If both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is correct explanation of Assertion (A).

b

If both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

c

If Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false.

d

If both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are false.

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Q22
PYQ

In the wave picture of light, the intensity I of light is related to the amplitude \(A\) of the wave as :

a

\(I \propto \sqrt{A}\)

b

\(I \propto A\)

c

\(I \propto A^2\)

d

\(I \propto \frac{1}{ A ^2}\)

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Q23
PYQ

In a Young's double slit experiment, two slits are separated by \(2 mm\) and the screen is placed one meter away. When a light of wavelength \(500 nm\) is used, the fringe separation will be:

a

\(1 mm\)

b

\(0.75 mm\)

c

\(0.25 mm\)

d

\(0.50 mm\)

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Q24
PYQ

According to Huygens principle, the amplitude of secondary wavelets is

a

equal in both the forward and the backward directions.

b

maximum in the forward direction and zero in the backward direction.

c

large in the forward direction and small in the backward direction.

d

small in the forward direction and large in the backward direction.

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Q25
PYQ

In Young's double slit experiment, if the separation between coherent sources is halved and the distance of the screen from the coherent sources is doubled, then the fringe width becomes

a

double

b

half

c

four times

d

one-fourth

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Q26
PYQ

If the monochromatic source in Young's double slit experiment is replaced by white light, then

a

interference pattern will disappear.

b

there will be a central dark fringe surrounded by a few coloured fringes.

c

there will be a central bright white fringe surrounded by a few coloured fringes.

d

all bright fringes will be of equal width.

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Q27
PYQ

Two slits in Young's double slit experiment are \(1.5\mathrm{mm}\) apart and the screen is placed at a distance of \(1\mathrm{m}\) from the slits. If the wavelength of light used is \(600\times {10}^{-9}\mathrm{m}\) then the fringe separation is :

a

\(4\times {10}^{-5}\mathrm{m}\)

b

\(9\times {10}^{-8}\mathrm{m}\)

c

\(4\times {10}^{-7}\mathrm{m}\)

d

\(4\times {10}^{-4}\mathrm{m}\)

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Q28
PYQ

For questions , two statements are given - one labelled Assertion (A) and the other labelled Reason (R). Select the correct answer to these questions from the codes (A), (B), (C) and (D) as given below :

Assertion (A) : In interference and diffraction of light, light energy reduces in one region producing a dark fringe. It increases in another region and produces a bright fringe.
Reason (R) : This happens because energy is not conserved in the phenomena of interference and diffraction.

a

If both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

b

If both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

c

If Assertion (A) is true and Reason (R) is false.

d

If both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are false.

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Q29
PYQ

Assertion (A) : In Young's double slit experiment all fringes are of equal width.

Reason (R) : The fringe width depends upon wavelength of light \((\lambda)\) used, distance of screen from plane of slits (D) and slits separation (d).

a

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

b

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is NOT the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

c

Assertion (A) is true and Reason (R) is false.

d

Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is also false.

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Q30
PYQ

In a Young's double slits experiment, the ratio of amplitude of light coming from slits is \(2: 1\). The ratio of the maximum to minimum intensity in the interference pattern is :

[JEE Main 2023, 13 Apr (Shift 2)]

a

\(9: 4\)

b

\(9: 1\)

c

\(2: 1\)

d

\(25: 9\)

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Q31
PYQ

Assertion (A): The phase difference between any two points on a wavefront is zero.

Reason (R): All points on a wavefront are at the same distance from the source and thus oscillate in the same phase.

a

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

b

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A)

c

Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.

d

Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is also false.

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Q32
PYQ

In Young's double slit experiment, if the separation between coherent sources is halved and the distance of the screen from the coherent sources is doubled, then the fringe width becomes :

a

Half

b

Four times

c

One-fourth

d

Double

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Q33
PYQ

The Brewsters angle \({i}_{b}\)for an interface should be :

a

\(30^\circ <{\mathrm{i}}_{\mathrm{b}}<45^\circ\)

b

\(45^\circ <{\mathrm{i}}_{\mathrm{b}}<90^\circ\)

c

\({i}_{b}=90^\circ\)

d

\(0^\circ <{\mathrm{i}}_{\mathrm{b}}<30^\circ\)

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