Diffraction
Question 1. What is the significance of diffraction?
Solution:
The bending of light gently as it travels around an object’s or opening’s edge is the basis for diffraction. It finds its applications in sound waves, telescope and microscopes.
Question 2. Explain the meaning of the single slit diffraction pattern.
Solution:
The single-slit diffraction pattern causes the interference of light from a coherent source with itself. It allows us to examine the phenomena of light bending, or diffraction, which enables coherent light from a source to interfere with itself and generate the diffraction pattern, a recognisable pattern on the screen. Additionally, diffraction is visible when the sources are so small that they are comparable to the wavelength of light.
Question 3. What is meant by the Fringe width? Write its formula.
Solution:
The gap between two successive minima or maxima bright patches is known as the fringe width. It is denoted by the symbol β. Its formula is given as,
β = λD/d
Question 4. Briefly write the prerequisites for constructive and destructive interference.
Solution:
For constructive interference, the path difference must be equal to an integral multiple of the wavelength in order. While for destructive interference, the path difference needs to be an odd integral multiple of a half wavelength.
Problems on Diffraction – Class 12 Physics
The bending of light at the edges of an obstacle whose size is comparable to the wavelength of light is called diffraction. To put it another way, it is the spreading of waves when they go through or around a barrier. Diffraction of light, as it is used to describe light, occurs more explicitly when a light wave passes by a corner or via an opening or slit that is physically smaller than the wavelength of that light, if not even smaller. The ratio of the wavelength of the light to the opening size determines how much bending occurs. The bending will essentially be undetectable if the aperture is substantially greater than the light’s wavelength. However, if the two are of similar size or are equal in size, there is a noticeable degree of bending that can be observed with the unaided eye.