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Wave Optics appeared 34 times across 3 years — 3.9% of Physics. This question is from Young's Double Slit Experiment.

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Questions 11 15 8 34

In a Young's double slit experiment, the source is white light. One of the slits is covered by red filter and another by a green filter. In this case:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

For a stable, visible interference pattern to form, the light sources passing through the two slits must be coherent:

  • They must have the same wavelength (or frequency).
  • They must maintain a constant phase difference over time.
Core Logic

If one slit is covered by a red filter and the other by a green filter:

  • Only red light (λred ≈ 700~nm) passes through the first slit.
  • Only green light (λgreen ≈ 500~nm) passes through the second slit.
  • Since the two passing waves have completely different wavelengths and frequencies, they are incoherent.

Step 1: Resulting Pattern Analysis

Coherent sources are a prerequisite for producing stable bright and dark interference fringes. Incoherent waves of different frequencies merely superimpose to create a general background illumination without any distinct, observable spatial fringe lines.

Thus, there shall be no interference fringes.

Pattern Recognition

Sees: YDSE + opposite colored filters (red and green) on slits. Trap: Don't get confused thinking separate patterns will overlay. Since the slits emit different colors, the sources are incoherent, so the interference term φ = 0. Shortcut: Different colors = different wavelengths = incoherent sources = NO fringes. ✓

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Wave Optics

Reference Study Guides

More Wave Optics Previous-Year Questions

Q36 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Interference
In a double slit experiment the distance between the slits is 0.1 cm and the screen is placed at 50 cm from the slits plane. When one slit is covered with a transparent sheet having thickness t and refractive index n(= 1.5), the central fringe shifts by 0.2 cm. The value of t is ____ cm.
  • A. 8 × 10⁻⁴
  • B. 6.0 × 10⁻³
  • C. 5.6 × 10⁻⁴
  • D. 5.0 × 10⁻³

Solution

Related Formula
Shift (x) = (D)/(d) (μ - 1)t

Alternatively written: d ((x)/(D)) = (μ - 1)t

Core Logic

Given parameters: Distance between slits, d = 0.1 cm Distance to screen, D = 50 cm Fringe shift, x = 0.2 cm Refractive index, μ = 1.5

Step 1: Calculate Thickness

Rearranging the formula for thickness t:

t = (x · d)/(D(μ - 1)) t = ((0.2)(0.1))/(50(1.5 - 1)) t = (0.02)/(50(0.5)) = (0.02)/(25) t = 8 × 10⁻⁴ cm
Pattern Recognition

Direct plug-and-play into the slab shift formula. Working completely in cm avoids unit conversion errors as long as all given lengths (x, d, D) are consistently in cm and the answer is requested in cm.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Wave Optics

Q34 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Young's Double Slit Experiment
Given below are two statements: Statement I : In a Young's double slit experiment, the angular separation of fringes will increase as the screen is moved away from the plane of the slits Statement II : In a Young's double slit experiment, the angular separation of fringes will increase when monochromatic source is replaced by another monochromatic source of higher wavelength In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
  • B. Both Statement I and Statement II are false
  • C. Statement I is false but Statement II is true
  • D. Statement I is true but Statement II is false

Solution

Related Formula
Angular fringe width θ = (λ)/(d)
Core Logic

The angular separation (angular fringe width) θ is given by (λ)/(d), where λ is the wavelength and d is the separation between slits. It is completely independent of the distance to the screen D.

Statement I claims moving the screen away (increasing D) increases angular separation. Since θ doesn't depend on D, Statement I is false.

Statement II claims using a higher wavelength λ increases angular separation. Since θ ∝ λ, increasing λ increases θ. Statement II is true.

Step 1: Final Conclusion

Statement I is false but Statement II is true.

Pattern Recognition

Linear fringe width y = λ D / d depends on D, but angular fringe width θ = λ / d isolates only the slit separation and wavelength.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Wave Optics

Q49 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening YDSE - Fringe Shift
In a Young's double slit experiment set up, the two slits are kept 0.4 mm apart and screen is placed at 1 m from slits. If a thin transparent sheet of thickness 20 is introduced in front of one of the slits then centre bring fringe shifts by 20 mm on the screen. The refractive index of transparent sheet is given by (α)/(10), where α is ________.
Numerical Answer. Answer: 14 to 14

Solution

Related Formula
yshift = ((μ - 1)t · D)/(d)
Core Logic

Introducing a transparent sheet of thickness t and refractive index μ adds an extra optical path length of (μ - 1)t. This translates to a shift of the entire fringe pattern on the screen. Given values: d = 0.4 mm = 0.4 × 10⁻³ m D = 1 m t = 20 = 20 × 10⁻⁶ m yshift = 20 mm = 20 × 10⁻³ m

Step 1: Substitution and Solving
20 × 10⁻³ = (μ - 1) × 20 × 10⁻⁶ × 10.4 × 10⁻³ 20 × 10⁻³ = (μ - 1) × 20 × 10⁻⁶4 × 10⁻⁴ 20 × 10⁻³ = (μ - 1) × 5 × 10⁻² (μ - 1) = 20 × 10⁻³5 × 10⁻² = 4 × 10⁻¹ = 0.4
Step 2: Final Conclusion
μ = 1 + 0.4 = 1.4

We are given μ = (α)/(10).

(α)/(10) = 1.4 α = 14
Pattern Recognition

The central fringe always shifts towards the slit covered by the slab. The linear shift y₀ = (D)/(d)(μ-1)t is independent of the wavelength used.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Wave Optics

Q37 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening Refractive Index and Wavelength
The wavelength of light, while it is passing through water is 540 nm. The refractive index of water is (4)/(3). The wavelength of the same light when it is passing through a transparent medium having refractive index of (3)/(2) is ____ nm.
  • A. 380
  • B. 840
  • C. 480
  • D. 540

Solution

Related Formula
μ = (c)/(v) = (λ₀)/(λ) μ₁ λ₁ = μ₂ λ₂
Core Logic

Since frequency f remains constant across different media:

(μ₁)/(μ₂) = (λ₂)/(λ₁)

Given μ₁ = (4)/(3), λ₁ = 540 ~nm and μ₂ = (3)/(2):

(4/3)/(3/2) = (λ₂)/(540) λ₂ = ((4 × 2)/(3 × 3)) × 540 = (8)/(9) × 540 = 480 ~nm
Step 1: Final Conclusion

The wavelength in the second medium is 480 ~nm.

Pattern Recognition

Product rule: μ · λ = constant. (4/3) × 540 = (3/2) × λ₂ λ₂ = 480 ~nm.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Wave Optics

Q40 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening Single Slit Diffraction
Which of the following are true for a single slit diffraction? (A) Width of central maxima increases with increase in wavelength keeping slit width constant. (B) Width of central maxima increases with decrease in wavelength keeping slit width constant. (C) Width of central maxima increases with decrease in slit width at constant wavelength. (D) Width of central maxima increases with increase in slit width at constant wavelength. (E) Brightness of central maxima increases for decrease in wavelength at constant slit width. Options :
  • A. A, D, E only
  • B. A, D only
  • C. B, D only
  • D. B, C only

Solution

Related Formula
βcm = (2λ D)/(a)
Core Logic

Analyzing each statement using width of central maxima formula βcm = (2λ D)/(a):

  • (A) βcm ∝ λ: Width increases with increasing λ. (Correct)
  • (B) Incorrect since βcm decreases when λ decreases.
  • (C) βcm ∝ (1)/(a): Width increases with decreasing slit width a. (Correct)
  • (D) Incorrect.
  • (E) Intensity/brightness of central maxima increases as λ decreases due to reduced diffraction spread. (Correct)
  • Statements A, C, and E are correct.

Step 1: Final Conclusion

The correct combination of statements is A, C & E. (NTA Official Answer Key specifies Option 1).

Pattern Recognition

Single slit width: βcm ∝ λ/a. Central maxima widens with larger wavelength or smaller slit width.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Wave Optics

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JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%) | JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%)