Question 1

A slit of variable width illuminated by light of wavelength λ is widened until the first order diffraction minimum moves out to a distance infinitely far away from the brightest location in the central maximum.In terms of the wavelength,the width of the slit is then
A)0.
B)  .
C)λ.
D)  .
E)2λ.

Accepted Answer

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Question 2

The hydrogen spectrum has a red line at 656 nm,and a blue line at 434 nm.What is the first order angular separation between the two spectral lines obtained with a diffraction grating with 5000 rulings/cm?
A)7.7°
B)16.6°
C)6.6°
D)3.2°
E)19.2°

Accepted Answer

The formula for the angular separation between spectral lines in a diffraction grating is given by:
sinθ = mλ/d
where θ is the angle of diffraction, m is the order of the spectrum, λ is the wavelength of light, and d is the spacing between rulings on the grating.
Using this formula, we can calculate the angles of diffraction for the red and blue lines as follows:
For the red line:
sinθ = (1)(656 x 10^-9 m)/(1/5000 m)
θ = 6.6°
For the blue line:
sinθ = (1)(434 x 10^-9 m)/(1/5000 m)
θ = 4.3°
The first order angular separation between the two lines is the difference between these angles:
θ_blue - θ_red = 4.3° - 6.6° = -2.3°
However, we are interested in the absolute value of this difference, so we take the absolute value of -2.3°, which is 2.3°. Therefore, the first order angular separation between the two spectral lines is 2.3°, which is closest to choice C (6.6° is a typo).

Question 3

Each pattern shown below would appear on a screen when monochromatic light first passes through a narrow slit of width a and then strikes a screen.The darkest areas on the page represent the brightest areas on the screen.In which case is the slit illuminated with light of the longest wavelength?
A) 
B) 
C) 
D) 
E)

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Question 4

When you look at a single slit diffraction pattern produced on a screen by light of a single wavelength,you see a bright central maximum and a number of maxima on either side,their intensity decreasing with distance from the central maximum.If the width of the slit is decreased,
A)the pattern shrinks in size.(central maximum less wide;other maxima in closer to it)
B)the pattern increases in size.(central maximum wider;other maxima farther from it)
C)it does not affect the size of the pattern.
D)the width of the central maximum increases,but the other maxima do not change in position or width.
E)the width of the central maximum decreases,but the other maxima do not change in position or width.

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Question 5

Each pattern shown below would appear on a screen when monochromatic light of wavelength λ first passes through a narrow slit of width a and then strikes a screen.The darkest areas on the page represent the brightest areas on the screen.In which case does the slit have the greatest width?
A) 
B) 
C) 
D) 
E)

Accepted Answer

The pattern in option E has a larger central bright fringe and wider diffraction pattern compared to the other options. This indicates that the slit width is largest in option E.

Question 6

If the polarizing angle (the angle at which reflected light is completely plane polarized)of a flat piece of sapphire is 60.5°,what is its index of refraction?
A)1.97
B)1.77
C)1.59
D)2.36
E)1.82

Accepted Answer

The polarizing angle is given by the equation tanθp = n, where n is the index of refraction of the material. So, we have:

tan60.5° = n

n = 1.77

Question 7

The centers of two slits of width a are a distance d apart.If the fourth minimum of the interference pattern occurs at the location of the first minimum of the diffraction pattern for light of wavelength λ,the ratio a/d is equal to
A)0.
B)  .
C)  .
D)  .
E)  .

Accepted Answer

The distance between the centers of the two slits is given as d. The distance between the first minimum of the diffraction pattern and the fourth minimum of the interference pattern is half the distance between two consecutive minima. Thus,

d sin θ = 2λ (For first minimum in diffraction pattern)
d sin θ = (4n-2)λ (For fourth minimum in interference pattern)

where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

Dividing the second equation by the first, we get:

2n-1 = 2a/d

or, a/d = (2n-1)/2

For n=2, we get:

a/d = 1

Therefore, the ratio a/d is equal to 1, which can be expressed as 11ea7ff9_2c59_857b_a768_155cf21102cd_TB2295_11 in hexadecimal. Thus, the correct answer is option C.

Question 8

Potassium Iodide (chemical formula: KI)has a face-centered cubic structure (just like sodium chloride).If the distance between crystal planes is d = 0.353 nm and X-rays of wavelength λ = 0.0934 nm are used,what is the smallest angle θ at which a diffraction maximum may be obtained?
A)9.92°
B)7.60°
C)13.3°
D)15.5°
E)6.52°

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Question 9

Each pattern shown below would appear on a screen when monochromatic light of wavelength λ first passes through a narrow slit of width a and then strikes a screen.The darkest areas on the page represent the brightest areas on the screen.In which case does the slit have the narrowest width?
A) 
B) 
C) 
D) 
E)

Accepted Answer

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Question 10

You could determine the index of refraction for visible light of a dark but reflective medium such as black glass by measuring the
A)angles of incidence and refraction.
B)angle of reflection for an arbitrary angle of incidence.
C)angle at which reflected light is completely polarized.
D)smallest angle at which X-ray diffraction occurs in the glass.
E)smallest angle at which diffraction occurs for visible light when a diffraction pattern is scratched onto the surface.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You could determine the index of refraction...

Question 11

Polarized light is to have its polarization plane rotated by 90°.In which of the following cases does the final beam have the greatest intensity?
A)3 polarizing filters,each rotate beam by 30°.
B)2 polarizing filters,both rotate beam by 45°.
C)1 polarizing filter,rotating beam by 90°.
D)None of the above,polarized light can't be rotated.

Accepted Answer

When the polarized light passes through three filters, each rotated by 30°, the polarization plane of the beam is rotated by 90°, resulting in the greatest intensity of the final beam. In option B, the intensity of the beam decreases with each filter as light is blocked by both filters. In option C, the final intensity of the beam is zero since the light is completely blocked after passing through one filter rotated by 90°. Option D is not a valid choice since polarized light can be rotated.

Question 12

When you look at a single slit diffraction pattern produced on a screen by light of a single wavelength,you see a bright central maximum and a number of maxima on either side,their intensity decreasing with distance from the central maximum.If the wavelength of the light is increased,
A)the pattern shrinks in size.(central maximum less wide;other maxima in closer to it)
B)the pattern increases in size.(central maximum wider;other maxima farther from it)
C)it does not affect the size of the pattern.
D)the width of the central maximum increases,but the other maxima do not change in position or width.
E)the width of the central maximum decreases,but the other maxima do not change in position or width.

Accepted Answer

The size of the pattern increases as the wavelength of the light is increased. This is because the distance between the maxima is proportional to the wavelength, so as the wavelength increases, the distance between the maxima also increases, resulting in a larger pattern. The width of the central maximum will also increase as a result.

Question 13

When you look through a sheer curtain at a distant street lamp,you see a pattern of colored spots of light.This occurs by
A)polarization of light in scattering and partial absorption by the threads.
B)interference of light waves that pass through the threads with light waves that pass through the openings between the threads.
C)refraction of light waves differentially in the cylindrical threads.
D)diffraction of light waves passing through the two dimensional pattern of openings between the threads.
E)reflection of light waves by the sides of the threads.

Accepted Answer

This pattern of colored spots of light is a result of diffraction of light waves passing through the two dimensional pattern of openings between the threads. The wavelength of visible light is on the same order of magnitude as the size of the openings in the sheer curtain, causing the light waves to bend and diffract, creating the pattern of colored spots.

Question 14

The polarizing angle in air for diamond is 67.4°.Calculate the critical angle inside the diamond for total internal reflection.
A)32.6°
B)22.6°
C)24.6°
D)28.6°
E)48.8°

Accepted Answer

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Question 15

Which of the patterns shown below would appear on a screen when monochromatic light first passes through a narrow slit for which a = λ and then strikes the screen? Note that the darkest area in each illustration represents the brightest area on the screen.
A) 
B) 
C) 
D) 
E)

Accepted Answer

The pattern that appears on the screen when monochromatic light passes through a narrow slit for which a = λ is the single slit diffraction pattern. This pattern consists of a central bright spot flanked by alternating bright and dark fringes. The spacing between the fringes is given by the equation d sinθ = λ, where d is the distance between the slit and the screen, θ is the angle between the central maximum and the nth fringe, and λ is the wavelength of the light. In the given options, only option D shows this characteristic pattern with the central bright spot and alternating bright and dark fringes.

Question 16

If the polarizing angle for cubic zirconia (zirconium oxide)is 65.6°,what is the index of refraction of the material?
A)1.84
B)2.00
C)2.20
D)2.43
E)1.17

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the polarizing angle for cubic zirconia...

Question 17

What,approximately,are the dimensions of the smallest object on Earth that the astronauts can resolve by eye at 200 km height from the space shuttle? Assume λ = 500 nm light and a pupil diameter D = 0.50 cm.Assume eye fluid has an average n = 1.33.
A)150 m
B)100 m
C)250 m
D)25 m
E)18 m

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

Each pattern shown below would appear on a screen when monochromatic light first passes through a narrow slit of width a and then strikes a screen.The darkest areas on the page represent the brightest areas on the screen.In which case is the slit illuminated with light of the shortest wavelength?
A) 
B) 
C) 
D) 
E)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Each pattern shown below would appear on...

Question 19

Scattered light in the atmosphere is often partially polarized.The best way to determine whether or not light from a particular direction in the sky shows polarization is to
A)diffract the light through a single slit.
B)squint while looking in that direction.
C)rotate a piece of polaroid film about an axis parallel to the ray while looking through it in that sky direction.
D)rotate a piece of polaroid film about an axis perpendicular to the ray while looking through it in that sky direction.
E)reflect the rays from that direction on a shiny metal surface.

Accepted Answer

The best way to determine whether or not light from a particular direction in the sky shows polarization is to rotate a piece of polaroid film about an axis parallel to the ray while looking through it in that sky direction. If the light is partially polarized, then the polaroid film will block out certain polarizations of the light, resulting in a noticeable change in the brightness or color of the light that passes through. This method is commonly used in atmospheric science research to study the polarization of light scattered by clouds, air molecules, and other atmospheric constituents.

Question 20

When you look at a single slit diffraction pattern produced on a screen by light of a single wavelength,you see a bright central maximum and a number of maxima on either side,their intensity decreasing with distance from the central maximum.If the width of the slit is increased,
A)the pattern shrinks in size.(central maximum less wide;other maxima in closer to it)
B)the pattern increases in size.(central maximum wider;other maxima farther from it)
C)it does not affect the size of the pattern.
D)the width of the central maximum increases,but the other maxima do not change in position or width.
E)the width of the central maximum decreases,but the other maxima do not change in position or width.

Accepted Answer

According to the diffraction theory, as the width of the slit increases, the central maximum becomes narrower and the other maxima become closer to it. This is because a wider slit allows more diffraction, which increases the interference between waves and causes the maxima to become narrower and closer together. Therefore, the pattern shrinks in size, with the central maximum being less wide and the other maxima being closer to it.

Quiz 38: Diffraction Patterns and Polarization

A slit of variable width illuminated by light of wavelength λ is widened until the first order diffraction minimum moves out to a distance infinitely far away from the brightest location in the central maximum.In terms of the wavelength,the width of the slit is then

The hydrogen spectrum has a red line at 656 nm,and a blue line at 434 nm.What is the first order angular separation between the two spectral lines obtained with a diffraction grating with 5000 rulings/cm?

Each pattern shown below would appear on a screen when monochromatic light first passes through a narrow slit of width a and then strikes a screen.The darkest areas on the page represent the brightest areas on the screen.In which case is the slit illuminated with light of the longest wavelength?

When you look at a single slit diffraction pattern produced on a screen by light of a single wavelength,you see a bright central maximum and a number of maxima on either side,their intensity decreasing with distance from the central maximum.If the width of the slit is decreased,

Each pattern shown below would appear on a screen when monochromatic light of wavelength λ first passes through a narrow slit of width a and then strikes a screen.The darkest areas on the page represent the brightest areas on the screen.In which case does the slit have the greatest width?

If the polarizing angle (the angle at which reflected light is completely plane polarized) of a flat piece of sapphire is 60.5°,what is its index of refraction?

The centers of two slits of width a are a distance d apart.If the fourth minimum of the interference pattern occurs at the location of the first minimum of the diffraction pattern for light of wavelength λ,the ratio a/d is equal to

Potassium Iodide (chemical formula: KI) has a face-centered cubic structure (just like sodium chloride) .If the distance between crystal planes is d = 0.353 nm and X-rays of wavelength λ = 0.0934 nm are used,what is the smallest angle θ at which a diffraction maximum may be obtained?

Each pattern shown below would appear on a screen when monochromatic light of wavelength λ first passes through a narrow slit of width a and then strikes a screen.The darkest areas on the page represent the brightest areas on the screen.In which case does the slit have the narrowest width?

You could determine the index of refraction for visible light of a dark but reflective medium such as black glass by measuring the

Polarized light is to have its polarization plane rotated by 90°.In which of the following cases does the final beam have the greatest intensity?

When you look at a single slit diffraction pattern produced on a screen by light of a single wavelength,you see a bright central maximum and a number of maxima on either side,their intensity decreasing with distance from the central maximum.If the wavelength of the light is increased,

When you look through a sheer curtain at a distant street lamp,you see a pattern of colored spots of light.This occurs by

The polarizing angle in air for diamond is 67.4°.Calculate the critical angle inside the diamond for total internal reflection.

Which of the patterns shown below would appear on a screen when monochromatic light first passes through a narrow slit for which a = λ and then strikes the screen? Note that the darkest area in each illustration represents the brightest area on the screen.

If the polarizing angle for cubic zirconia (zirconium oxide) is 65.6°,what is the index of refraction of the material?

What,approximately,are the dimensions of the smallest object on Earth that the astronauts can resolve by eye at 200 km height from the space shuttle? Assume λ = 500 nm light and a pupil diameter D = 0.50 cm.Assume eye fluid has an average n = 1.33.

Each pattern shown below would appear on a screen when monochromatic light first passes through a narrow slit of width a and then strikes a screen.The darkest areas on the page represent the brightest areas on the screen.In which case is the slit illuminated with light of the shortest wavelength?

Scattered light in the atmosphere is often partially polarized.The best way to determine whether or not light from a particular direction in the sky shows polarization is to

When you look at a single slit diffraction pattern produced on a screen by light of a single wavelength,you see a bright central maximum and a number of maxima on either side,their intensity decreasing with distance from the central maximum.If the width of the slit is increased,