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A-Level CAIE Physics 8 3 Interference Question Bank

Practice A-Level CAIE Physics 8 3 Interference questions by syllabus topic with past-paper context, marks, difficulty and question previews on Eduninja.

10 matching questions · Open interactive library

Question 5

5

8 marks

Question 5(a)

5(a)

State three conditions required for maxima to be formed in an interference pattern produced by two sources of microwaves. 1. 2. 3.

Mediumstructured3 marks

Answer

waves overlap / meet / superpose (B1) coherence / constant phase difference (not constant \(\lambda\) or frequency) (B1) path difference \(=0, \lambda, 2 \lambda\) or phase difference \(=0,2 \pi, 4 \pi\) (B1) same direction of polarisation/unpolarised (B1)

Question 5(c)

5(c)

Two slits \(\mathrm{S}_{1}\) and \(\mathrm{S}_{2}\) are placed in front of the microwave source M described in (b), as shown in Fig 5.1. The distances \(\mathrm{S}_{1} \mathrm{O}\) and \(\mathrm{S}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) are equal. A microwave detector is moved from O to P . The distance \(S_{1} P\) is 0.75 m and the distance \(S_{2} P\) is 0.90 m. The microwave detector gives a maximum reading at O . State the variation in the readings on the microwave detector as it is moved slowly along the line from O to P .

Mediumstructured3 marks

Answer

maximum at P B1 several minima or maxima between O and \(\mathrm{P} \quad \mathrm{B} 1\) 5 maxima / 6 minima between O and P or 7 maxima / 6 minima including O and \(\mathrm{P} \quad\) B1

Question 5(d)

5(d)

The microwave source M is replaced by a source of coherent light. State two changes that must be made to the slits in Fig. 5.1 in order to observe an interference pattern. 1. 2.

Mediumstructured2 marks

Answer

slits made narrower B1 slits put closer together B1 (not just 'make slits smaller') Allow tilting the slits M1 and explanation of axes of rotation A1

Question 6

6

3 marks

Question 6(b)

6(b)

Coherent light of wavelength 590 nm is incident normally on a double slit, as shown in Fig. 6.1. The separation of the slits A and B is 1.4 mm . Interference fringes are observed on a screen placed parallel to the plane of the double slit. The distance between the screen and the double slit is 2.6 m . At point P on the screen, the path difference is zero for light arriving at P from the slits A and B.

structured3 marks

Question 6(b)(i)

6(b)(i)

Determine the separation of bright fringes on the screen near to point P . separation = mm

Mediumstructured3 marks

Answer

\(\lambda=a x / D\) (if no formula given and substitution is incorrect then 0 / 3 ) C1 \(590 \times 10^{-9}=\left(1.4 \times 10^{-3} \times x\right) / 2.6 \quad\) C1 \(x=1.1 \mathrm{~mm}\) A1 [3]

Question 6(b)(ii)

6(b)(ii)

The variation with time of the displacement x of the light wave arriving at point P on the screen from slit A and from slit B is shown in Fig. 6.2a and Fig. 6.2b respectively. 1. State the phase difference between waves forming the dark fringe on the screen that is next to point P. 2. Determine the ratio intensity of light at a bright fringe intensity of light at a dark fringe

Hardstructured0 marks

Answer

1. \(180^{\circ}\) (allow \(\pi\) if rad stated) A1 [1] 2. at maximum, amplitude is 3.4 units and at minimum, 0.6 units C1 intensity ~ amplitude \({ }^{2}\) allow \(I \sim \mathrm{a}^{2} \quad\) C1 ratio \(=3.4^{2} / 0.6^{2}\) =32 A1 [3]

Question 22

22

Using monochromatic light, interference fringes are produced on a screen placed a distance D from a pair of slits of separation a. The separation of the fringes is x. Both a and D are now doubled. What is the new fringe separation? \(\frac{x}{2}\) x 2 x 4 x

Mediummcq1 marks

Answer

B

Question 4

4

3 marks

Question 4(b)

4(b)

Coherent light is incident normally on two identical slits X and Y . The diffracted light emerging from the slits superposes to produce an interference pattern on a screen positioned at a distance of 1.9 m from the slits. Fig. 4.1 shows the arrangement and the central part of the interference pattern of bright and dark fringes formed on the screen. The separation of the slits is 0.65 mm . The distance between the centres of adjacent bright fringes is 1.7 mm . Calculate the wavelength \(\lambda\) of the light. \(\lambda=\) m

Mediumstructured3 marks

Answer

\(\lambda=a x / D\) C1 \(\lambda=\left[\left(0.65 \times 10^{-3}\right) \times\left(1.7 \times 10^{-3}\right)\right] / 1.9\) C1 \(\lambda=5.8 \times 10^{-7} \mathrm{~m}\) A1

Question 24

24

Two coherent progressive waves from different sources meet at a point. Which condition must be satisfied for there to be zero resultant amplitude at the point where the waves meet? The two waves must be emitted from their sources with the same intensity. The two waves must be in phase with each other at the point. The two waves must be travelling in opposite directions. The two waves must have the same amplitude at the point.

Mediummcq1 marks

Answer

D

Question 25

25

Using monochromatic light, interference fringes are produced on a screen placed a distance D from a pair of slits of separation a. The separation of the fringes is x. Both a and D are now doubled. What is the new fringe separation? \(\frac{x}{2}\) x 2 x 4 x

Mediummcq1 marks

Answer

B

Question 25

25

Two progressive waves meet at a point. Which condition must be met for superposition of the waves to occur? The waves must be coherent. The waves must be of the same type. The waves must be travelling in opposite directions. The waves must meet in phase.

Easymcq1 marks

Answer

B

Question 26

26

Which electromagnetic wave phenomenon is needed to explain the spectrum produced when white light falls on a diffraction grating? coherence interference polarisation refraction

Easymcq1 marks

Answer

B

Question 4

4

2 marks

Question 4(b)

4(b)

Circular water waves are produced by vibrating dippers at points P and Q , as illustrated in Fig. 4.1. The waves from P alone have the same amplitude at point R as the waves from Q alone. Distance PR is 44 cm and distance QR is 29 cm . The dippers vibrate in phase with a period of 1.5 s to produce waves of speed \(4.0 \mathrm{~cm} \mathrm{~s}^{-1}\).

structured2 marks

Question 4(b)(ii)

4(b)(ii)

Calculate the path difference at point R of the waves from P and Q. Give your answer in terms of the wavelength \(\lambda\) of the waves. path difference =

Mediumstructured2 marks

Answer

\[ \begin{aligned} \text { path difference } =(44-29) / 6 =2.5 \lambda \end{aligned} \] A1

Question 5

5

2 marks

Question 5(b)

5(b)

An arrangement for demonstrating interference using light is shown in Fig. 5.2. The wavelength of the light from the laser is 630 nm . The light is incident normally on the double slit. The separation of the two slits is \(3.6 \times 10^{-4} \mathrm{~m}\). The perpendicular distance between the double slit and the screen is D. Coherent light waves from the slits form an interference pattern of bright and dark fringes on the screen. The distance between the centres of two adjacent bright fringes is \(4.0 \times 10^{-3} \mathrm{~m}\). The central bright fringe is formed at point P.

structured1 marks

Question 5(b)(i)

5(b)(i)

Explain why a bright fringe is produced by the waves meeting at point P .

Mediumstructured1 marks

Answer

path difference (from slits to P ) is zero or phase difference (between waves at P ) is zero (so constructive interference) B1

Question 5(b)(ii)

5(b)(ii)

Calculate distance D.

Hardstructured0 marks

Answer

\(\lambda=a x / D\) C1 \(D=\left(3.6 \times 10^{-4} \times 4.0 \times 10^{-3}\right) / 630 \times 10^{-9}\) C1 \(=2.3 \mathrm{~m}\) A1

Question 5(c)

5(c)

The wavelength \(\lambda\) of the light in (b) is now varied. This causes a variation in the distance x between the centres of two adjacent bright fringes on the screen. The distance D and the separation of the two slits are unchanged. On Fig. 5.3, sketch a graph to show the variation of x with \(\lambda\) from \(\lambda=400 \mathrm{~nm}\) to \(\lambda=700 \mathrm{~nm}\). Numerical values of x are not required.

Mediumstructured1 marks

Answer

upward sloping straight line starting from a non-zero value of x at \(\lambda=400 \mathrm{~nm}\) B1