Monochromatic light is incident on two slits and the interference pattern is produced on-screen at the distance L. Now one slit is covered, with no light coming from it. What is the change in pattern on the screen?
Correct answer: B. The width of the outer maximum is decreased
- A. The width of central maximum is decreased
- B. The width of the outer maximum is decreased
- C. The intensity of the central maximum will increase
- D. Less number of fringes will be observed
Explanation
The outer maximum refers to the secondary peaks on both sides of the central maximum in the interference pattern. These secondary maxima are a result of constructive interference between the waves coming from the two slits. If one slit is covered, the outer maximum will still be present, but its intensity will decrease compared to when both slits are open. However, the width of the outer maximum is not affected by covering one of the slits.
Last updated
About Optics
Light is studied through reflection, refraction, dispersion, interference, diffraction and polarization, linking ray behavior with its wave nature. Questions may involve mirrors, lenses, optical instruments, refractive index and image formation, while geometrical optics deals with rays and wave optics explains effects such as interference and diffraction.
Practise Optics
665 free Optics MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Exams that ask Physics questions like this
Physics is on 7 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
Related questions
8If the two sound waves produce beats, it is necessary that the two have:
A 16 cm long image of an object is formed by a convex lens on a screen placed normal to its principal axis. On moving the lens towards the screen, without changing the positions of the object and the screen, a 9 cm long image is formed again on the screen. The size of the object is:
A 4 cm high object is located 10 cm from the converging lens, whose focal length is 20 cm. The image so formed will be
A beam of electrons can
A beam of electrons can: