TutorChase logo
Decorative checklist book illustration
IB DP Physics Questions

9.3 Interference

Question 1

In a two-point source interference experiment, what determines the fringe spacing on the screen?

A. The amplitude of the waves

B. The frequency of the waves

C. The distance between the two sources

D. The speed of the waves

Question 2

In Young's double-slit experiment, if the distance between the slits is decreased, the fringe spacing on the screen will:

A. Increase

B. Decrease

C. Remain the same

D. Become zero

Question 3

Which type of interference results in a bright fringe in a double-slit experiment?

A. Constructive interference

B. Destructive interference

C. Partial interference

D. No interference

Question 4

In thin film interference, what causes certain colours to be seen when white light is incident on the film?

A. Reflection of light

B. Refraction of light

C. Constructive and destructive interference of different wavelengths

D. Polarisation of light

Question 5

Which factor does NOT affect the interference pattern observed in a double-slit experiment?

A. Wavelength of light

B. Distance between the slits

C. Distance between the screen and the slits

D. Amplitude of the waves

Question 6

a) Explain the concept of path difference in the context of two-point source interference and how it relates to constructive and destructive interference. [3]

b) Two coherent sources placed 0.5 cm apart produce interference fringes on a screen 2 m away. If the wavelength of the light used is 600 nm, calculate the fringe spacing on the screen. [3]

Question 7

a) Describe the phenomenon of thin film interference and how it results in the appearance of colours on a thin film. [3]

b) A thin film of oil (refractive index = 1.4) on water appears dark when viewed in white light of wavelength 500 nm. Calculate the minimum thickness of the oil film. [3]

Question 8

a) Briefly explain Young's double-slit experiment and its significance in understanding wave interference. [3]

b) In Young's experiment, the slit separation is 0.2 mm and the distance between the slits and the screen is 1 m. If the light used has a wavelength of 650 nm, determine the spacing between the interference fringes on the screen. [3]

Question 9

a) Describe the principle of superposition as it relates to wave interference. [2]

b) Two coherent sources produce an interference pattern on a screen. If the fifth bright fringe is 4 cm from the central maximum, calculate the distance to the tenth bright fringe. [3]

c) How would the interference pattern change if the wavelength of the light used was increased? [2]

Question 10

a) What is the path difference between two waves that interfere constructively? [2]

b) In a double-slit experiment, the slit separation is 0.1 mm. If the first order maximum is observed at an angle of 0.05 radians, calculate the wavelength of the light used. [4]

c) How would the pattern differ if the slit separation was decreased? [2]

Question 11

In a thin film interference experiment, if the thickness of the film is increased, the observed colour will:

A. Shift towards the red end of the spectrum

B. Shift towards the blue end of the spectrum

C. Remain the same

D. Become white

Question 12

In a two-point source interference experiment, the path difference between the waves from the two sources at a point on the screen is half the wavelength. What type of interference will be observed at that point?

A. Constructive

B. Destructive

C. Partial

D. No interference

Question 13

In Young's double-slit experiment, the distance between the slits is doubled. The fringe spacing on the screen will:

A. Halve

B. Double

C. Remain the same

D. Quadruple

Question 14

In thin film interference, which type of interference results in a dark fringe?

A. Constructive interference

B. Destructive interference

C. Partial interference

D. No interference

Question 15

In a double-slit experiment, if the wavelength of light used is halved, the fringe spacing on the screen will:

A. Halve

B. Double

C. Remain the same

D. Quadruple

Question 16

a) Explain the phenomenon of thin film interference in terms of path difference. [3]

b) A soap bubble appears green (wavelength = 530 nm) when viewed in white light. If the refractive index of the soap bubble is 1.33, calculate the minimum thickness of the bubble. [4]

c) Why do thicker films display a wider range of colours? [2]

Question 17

a) What is the significance of Young's double-slit experiment in the study of light? [3]

b) In the experiment, the distance between the slits and the screen is 1.5 m. If the fringe spacing observed is 0.5 cm, determine the wavelength of the light used when the slit separation is 0.15 mm. [4]

c) How would the interference pattern be affected if the source of light was not coherent? [2]

Question 18

a) Describe the concept of coherence and its importance in interference experiments. [3]

b) In a double-slit experiment, two slits are separated by 0.2 mm. If a screen is placed 2 m away from the slits, and the third bright fringe is observed to be 3 cm from the central maximum, calculate the wavelength of the light used. [4]

c) If the same setup was used but with light of a shorter wavelength, how would the interference pattern change? [2]

d) How would the pattern be affected if the screen was moved closer to the slits? [2]

Question 19

a) Explain the phenomenon of thin film interference using the concept of path difference. [3]

b) A thin film of oil on water produces a colourful pattern. If the film appears blue (wavelength = 470 nm) when viewed in white light, and the refractive index of the oil is 1.25, calculate the minimum thickness of the film. [4]

c) How does the thickness of the film affect the colours observed? [2]

d) Why might the colours change when viewed from different angles? [2]

Question 20

a) Describe Young's double-slit experiment and its significance in wave optics. [3]

b) In the experiment, if the distance between the slits and the screen is 1 m and the fringe spacing observed is 1 cm, determine the wavelength of the light used when the slit separation is 0.25 mm. [4]

c) How would the interference pattern change if the source of light was monochromatic but not coherent? [2]

d) If the slit separation was halved, how would the interference pattern be affected? [2]

Hire a tutor

Please fill out the form and we'll find a tutor for you.

1/2 About yourself
Still have questions?
Let's get in touch.