37

Wave Optics
CHAPTER OUTLINE
27.1

Youngs Double-Slit Experiment

27.2

Analysis Model: Waves in Interference

27.3

Intensity Distribution of the Double-Slit Interference Pattern

27.4

Change of Phase Due to Reflection

27.5

Interference in Thin Films

27.6

The Michelson Interferometer

* An asterisk indicates a question or problem new to this edition.

ANSWERS TO OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

OQ37.1

(i)

Answer (a). If the mirrors do not move the character of the

interference stays the same.

(ii) Answer (c). The light waves destructively interfere so they are
initially out of phase by 180. Moving the mirror by /2 changes
the path difference by 2(/2) = , so the waves go in phase then
back out of phase to their original phase relation.
OQ37.2

(i)

The ranking is b > a > c = d. The angles in the interference

pattern are small, so we can make a good approximation of their
values: d sin = m m d. Thus for m = 1, d , which
we estimate in each case: (a) 0.450 m/400 m 1.1 103 rad
(b) 0.7 m/400 m 1.8 103 rad (c) and (d) 0.7 m/800 m
0.9 103 rad.

(ii) The ranking is b = d > a > c. Now we consider the distance

y = L tan L sin = L ( m d ) y mL d

Thus for m = 1, y L d , which we estimate in each case:

744

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Chapter 37

745

(a) (4 m) (0.45 m/400 m) 4.5 mm; (b) (4 m)(0.7 m/400 m)

7 mm; (c) (4 m)(0.7 m/800 m) 3.5 mm;
(d) (8 m)(0.7 m/800 m) 7 mm.
OQ37.3

Answer (c). Underwater, the wavelength of the light decreases

according to water = air nwater . Since the angles between positions of
light and dark bands, being small, are approximately proportional to
, the underwater fringe separations decrease.

OQ37.4

(i)

Answer (c). The distance between nodes is half a wavelength.

(ii) Answer (d). The reflected light travels through the same path
twice because it reflects, so moving the mirror one-quarter
wavelength, 125 nm, results in a path change of one-half
wavelength, 250 nm, which results in destructive interference.
(iii) Answer (e). The wavelength of the light in the film is 500 nm/2
= 250 nm. If the film is made 62.5 nm thicker (one-quarter
wavelength in the film), the light reflecting inside the film has a
path length 125 nm greater. This is half a wavelength, which
reverses constructive into destructive interference.
OQ37.5

Answer (d). There are 180 phase changes occurring in the reflections
at both the air-oil boundary and the oil-water boundary; thus the
relative phase change from reflection is zero. The condition for
constructive interference in the reflected light is
2t = m

t=m
n
2n

where m is any integer. The minimum non-zero thickness of the oil

which will strongly reflect 530-nm light is m = 1:

t=m
O37.6

530 nm
= ( 1)
= 212 nm
2n
2 ( 1.25 )

Answer (a). For the second-order bright fringe,

d sin = 2
500 109 m
sin = 2
2.00 105 m

= 0.050 0 rad
OQ37.7

(i)

Answer (b). If the oil film is brightest where it is thinnest, then

nair < noil < nflint glass. With this condition, light reflecting from both
the top and the bottom surface of the oil film will undergo 180
phase changes. Then these two beams will be in phase with each
other where the film is very thin. This is the condition for
constructive interference as the thickness of the oil film

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746

Wave Optics
decreases toward zero. If the oil film is dark where it is thinnest,
then nair < noil > ncrown glass. In this case, reflecting light undergoes
a 180 phase change upon reflection from the top surface but no
180 phase change upon reflection from the bottom surface of
the oil. The two reflected beams are 180 out of phase and
interfere destructively as the oil film thickness goes to zero.
(ii) Yes. It should have a lower refractive index than both kinds of
glass.
(iii) Yes. It should have a higher refractive index than both kinds of
glass.
(iv) No. Its refractive index cannot be both greater than 1.66 and less
than 1.52.

OQ37.8

Answer (b). With two fine slits separated by a distance d slightly less
than , the equation d sin = 0 has the usual solution = 0, but
d sin = has no solution: there is no first-order maximum.
1
However, d sin = has a solution: first-order minima flank the
2
central maximum on each side.

OQ37.9

(i)

Answer (a). The angular position of the mth-order bright fringe

in a double-slit interference pattern is given by d sin m = m.
The distance ym of the mth-order bright fringe from the center of
the pattern is given by y m = L tan m , where L is the distance to
the screen. The spacing between successive bright fringes is

y = y m+1 y m = L ( tan m+1 tan m )

L ( sin m+1 sin m )

=L

[( m + 1) m] = L
d

because the angles are small, and for small angles (in radians)
sin tan . As L increases, the spacing y increases.
(ii) Answer (b). From our result above, we see that as d increases,
the spacing y decreases.
OQ37.10

Answer (b). If the thickness of the oil film were smaller than half of
the wavelengths of visible light, no colors would appear. If the
thickness of the oil film were much larger, the colors would overlap
to mix to white or gray.

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Chapter 37

747

ANSWERS TO CONCEPTUAL QUESTIONS

CQ37.1

A camera lens will have more than one element, to correct (at least)
for chromatic aberration. It will have several surfaces, each of which
would reflect some fraction of the incident light. To maximize light
throughout, the surfaces need antireflective coatings. The coating
thickness is chosen to produce destructive interference for reflected
light of a particular wavelength.

CQ37.2

Due to gravity, the soap film tends to sag in its holder, being quite
thin at the top and becoming thicker as one moves toward the
bottom of the holding ring. Because light reflecting from the front
surface of the film experiences a 180 phase change, and light
reflecting from the back surface of the film does not (see Figure 37.10
in the textbook), the film must be a minimum of a half wavelength
thick before it can produce constructive interference in the reflected
light. Thus, the light must be striking the film at some distance from
the top of the ring before the thickness is sufficient to produce
constructive interference for any wavelength in the visible portion of
the spectrum.

CQ37.3

The light from the flashlights consists of many different wavelengths

(thats why its white) with random time differences between the
light waves. There is no coherence between the two sources. The light
from the two flashlights does not maintain a constant phase
relationship over time. These three equivalent statements mean no
possibility of an interference pattern.

CQ37.4

Typically, a thin air film forms between the lens and the glass plate.
Light reflecting from the upper surface of the air film (lower surface
of the lens) can interfere with light reflecting from the lower surface
of the air film (upper surface of the flat glass plate). The light
reflecting from the lower surface of the air film undergoes a 180
phase change on reflection while the light reflecting from the upper
surface of the air film does not. (a) Where there is negligible distance
between the surfaces, at the center of the pattern you will see a dark
spot because of the destructive interference associated with the 180
phase shift. (b) Colored rings surround the dark spot. If the lens is a
perfect sphere and the plate is perfectly flat, the rings are perfect
circles. On the fine scale of the wavelength of visible light, distorted
rings reveal bumps and hollows that cause variation in the air film
between the glass surfaces.

CQ37.5

The waves interfere destructively at some places and interfere

constructively at others. The total energy is not lost, it is just
rearranged. The energy that does not go into the dark fringes is
shifted into the bright fringes.

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748

Wave Optics

CQ37.6

Every color produces its own double-slit interference pattern, so if

white light is used, the central maximum is white and the first-order
maxima are full spectra running from violet to red. Each higherorder maximum is in principle a full spectrum, but it can partially
overlap with the next order maximum, so the pattern for a specific
color is hard to distinguish. Using monochromatic light eliminates
this problem.

CQ37.7

(a)

Two waves interfere constructively if their path difference is

zero, or an integral multiple of the wavelength, according to
= m , with m = 0, 1, 2, 3,.

(b)

Two waves interfere destructively if their path difference is a

half wavelength, or an odd multiple of , described by

2

= m + , with m = 0, 1, 2, 3,.

2
CQ37.8

Each liquid forms a film which causes interference of light reflected

off the top and bottom surfaces of the film. Since the liquids would
have an index greater than that of air, light reflected off the top
surface of each film would undergo a 180 phase change. When the
films become sufficiently thin, the type of interference that occurs,
constructive or destructive, depends on whether the reflected wave
does or does not undergo a 180 phase change. If the index of one
liquid is less than that of water, light reflected off the bottom surface
of the film (off the water surface) will be shifted by 180, so the
overall interference will be constructive, and the film will appear
bright. If the index of the other liquid is greater than that of water,
light reflected off the bottom surface of the film will not be shifted, so
the overall interference will be destructive, and the film will appear
dark.

CQ37.9

Yes. A single beam of laser light going into the slits divides up into
several fuzzy-edged beams diverging from the point halfway
between the slits.

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Chapter 37

749

SOLUTIONS TO END-OF-CHAPTER PROBLEMS

Section 27.1

Youngs Double-Slit Experiment

Section 27.2

Analysis Model: Waves in Interference

*P37.1

The angular locations of the bright fringes (or maxima) is given by

Equation 37.2:
d sin = m

Solving for m and substituting 30.0 gives

4
d sin ( 3.20 10 m ) sin 30.0
m=
=
= 320

500 109 m

There are 320 maxima to the right, 320 to the left, and one for m = 0
straight ahead at = 0. There are therefore 641 maxima .
P37.2

The location of the dark fringe of order m (measured from the position
of the central maximum) is given by

1 L

(ydark )m = m +

2 d
where m = 0, 1, 2, Thus, the spacing between the first and second
dark fringes will be
y = ( ydark )m=1 ( ydark )m=0
1 L
1 L L

= 1+ 0 + =

2 d
2 d
d

or
P37.3

( 5.30 10
y =

m ) ( 2.00 m )

0.300 103 m

= 3.53 103 m = 3.53 mm

The location of the bright fringe of order m (measured from the

position of the central maximum) is

d sin = m

m = 0, 1, 2, .

For first bright fringe to the side, m = 1. Thus, the wavelength of the
laser light must be

= d sin = (0.200 103 m)sin0.181

= 6.32 107 m = 632 nm
P37.4

The location of the bright fringes for small angles is given by Equation
37.7:
y bright =

L
m
d

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750

Wave Optics
For m = 1,

=
P37.5

y bright
L

( 3.40 10
=

m ) ( 0.500 103 m )
3.30 m

In the equation d sin = m + , the first minimum

2
is described by m = 0 and the tenth by m = 9:
sin =
Also, tan =

9 + = 9.5
d
2
d

y
. But, for small , sin tan .
L

ANS. FIG. P37.5

9.5 9.5 L
=
:
Thus, d =
sin
y
d=
P37.6

= 515 nm

9.5 ( 5890 1010 m ) ( 2.00 m )

7.26 10

= 1.54 103 m = 1.54 mm

We use Equation 37.2, d sin bright =m , to find the angle for the m = 1
fringe:

sin bright =

2
m ( 1)( 1.0010 m )
=
=1.25
d
8.00103 m

The sine of the angle is greater than 1, which is impossible. Therefore,

there is no m = 1 fringe on the screen whose position can be measured.
In fact, there is no interference pattern at all, just a bright area of
microwaves directly behind the double slit.
P37.7

We do not use the small-angle approximation sin tan here

because the angle is greater than 10. For the first bright fringe, m = 1,
and we have
d sin = m =

and
P37.8

(a)

d=

620 109 m
=
= 2.40 106 m = 240 m
sin
sin 15.0

For a bright fringe of order m, the path difference is = m ,

where m = 0, 1, 2, At the location of the third order bright
fringe,

= m = 3 ( 589 109 m ) = 1.77 106 m = 1.77 m

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Chapter 37

(b)

751

For a dark fringe, the path difference is = m + , where

2
m = 0, 1, 2, At the third dark fringe, m = 2 and
1
5

= 2 + = ( 589 nm ) = 1.47 103 nm = 1.47 m

2
2

P37.9

(a)

For the bright fringe,

y bright =

y=

m L
, where m = 1
d

( 546.1 10

m ) ( 1.20 m )

0.250 10

= 2.62 103 m

= 2.62 mm
(b)

If you have trouble remembering whether

the equation with m or the equation with
1

m + applies to a particular situation,

2
you can remember that a zero-order bright
band is in the center, and dark bands are
halfway between bright bands. Thus, the
made-up equation d sin = ( count )
describes them all, with count = 0, 1, 2,
for bright bands, and with count = 0.5,
1.5, 2.5, for dark bands.
Then, for the dark bands,
L
1
ydark =
m + ; m = 0, 1, 2, 3,
d
2

y = y 2 y1 =

ANS. FIG. P37.9

L
1
1 L
1 + 0 + =

d
2
2 d

( 546.1 10
=

m )( 1.20 m )

0.250 103 m

y = 2.62 mm
P37.10

Taking m = 0 and y = 0.200 mm in Equations 37.3 and 37.4 gives

3
3
2dy 2 ( 0.400 10 m ) ( 0.200 10 m )
L
=
= 0.362 m

442 109 m
L 36.2 cm

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752

Wave Optics
Geometric optics or a particle theory of light would incorrectly predict
bright regions opposite the slits and darkness in between. But, as this
example shows, interference can produce just the opposite.

ANS. FIG. P37.10

*P37.11

340 m s
= 0.170 m
2000 Hz

The maxima are located at d sin = m:

m = 0 gives

= 0

m = 1 gives

0.170 m
= sin 1 = sin 1
= 29.1
d
0.350 m

m = 2 gives

2
2 ( 0.170 m )
= sin 1 = sin 1
= 76.3
0.350 m
d

m = 3 has no solution, since sin > 1.

( )

The minima are located at d sin = m +

1
:
2

m = 0 gives

0.170 m
= sin 1 = sin 1
= 14.1
2d
2 ( 0.350 m )

m = 1 gives

3
3 ( 0.170 m )
= sin 1 = sin 1
= 46.8
2d
2 ( 0.350 m )

m = 2 has no solution, since sin > 1.

We have maxima at 0, 29.1, and 76.3; minima at 14.1 and 46.8 .

P37.12

v 343 m/s
=
= 0.1715 m is on the same order of
f 2000 s 1
size as the slit separation d = 0.300 m, so we may treat this as a doubleslit diffraction problem.
The wavelength =

(a)

d sin = m

so

( 0.300 m ) sin = 1( 0.1715 m )

(b)

d sin = m

so

d sin 34.9 = 1( 0.030 0 m ) and d = 5.25 cm .

and = 34.9 .

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Chapter 37
(c)

(1.00 10

m ) sin 34.9 = ( 1)

so

753

= 572 nm.

c 3.00 108 m/s

14
f = =
= 5.24 10 Hz
7

5.72 10 m
P37.13

Note, with the conditions given, the small-angle

approximation does not work well. That is,
sin , tan , and are significantly different. We
treat the interference as a Fraunhofer pattern.
(a)

At the m = 2 maximum,
400 m
tan =
= 0.400 = 21.8
1000 m

So
(b)

ANS. FIG. P37.13

d sin ( 300 m ) sin 21.8

=
= 55.7 m .
m
2

The next minimum encountered is the m = 2 minimum, and at

that point,

d sin = m +

2
which becomes d sin =

5
,
2

5 5 55.7 m
=
= 0.464 = 27.7,
2 d 2 300 m

or

sin =

so

y = ( 1 000 m ) tan 27.7 = 524 m.

Therefore, the car must travel an additional

524 m 400 m = 124 m
If we considered Fresnel interference, we would more precisely
find

1
5502 + 10002 m 2502 + 10002 m = 55.2 m and
2
(b) 123 m.

(a) =

P37.14

Location of A = central maximum, location of B = first minimum.

So,

y = [ y min y max ] =

Thus,

d=

L
1
1 L
= 20.0 m.
0 + 0 =
d
2
2 d

L
( 3.00 m ) (150 m ) = 11.3 m .
=
2 ( 20.0 m )
40.0 m

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754
P37.15

Wave Optics
The angle of the 50th-order fringe is given by

50
d sin = m = sin 1
d
The distance x from the slit to the screen and the distance y of the mthorder fringe from the center of the central maximum are related by
y
tan = . As the student approaches the screen at speed v, the
x
distances x and y decrease but their ratio stays the same. Therefore,

y
y = x tan
x
dy dx
=
tan = v tan
dt dt
where dy/dt is negative because the distance y shrinks. The speed of the
fringe is
tan =

v50th-order =

dy

m
= v tan = v tan sin 1
d
dt

Thus, the speed of the 50th-order fringe is

v50th-order

1 50 ( 632.8 109 m )
= ( 3.00 m/s ) tan sin

3
0.300 10 m

= 0.318 m/s

P37.16

The angle of the mth-order fringe is given by

m
d sin = m = sin 1
d
The distance x from the slit to the screen and the distance y of the mthorder fringe from the center of the central maximum are related by
y
tan = . As the student approaches the screen at speed v, the
x
distances x and y decrease but their ratio stays the same. Therefore,

tan =

y
x

y = x tan

dy dx
=
tan = v tan
dt dt
where dy/dt is negative because the distance y shrinks. Thus, the speed
of the mth-order fringe is
vmth-order =

dy

m
= v tan = v tan sin 1
d
dt

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Chapter 37
P37.17

755

As shown in the figure to the right, the height of the radio telescope
dish is h = d2 sin , and the path difference in the waves reaching the
telescope is

= d2 d1 = d2 ( 1 sin )
where

+ + = 90 = 90 2
If the first minimum ( = 2 ) occurs when = 25.0, then

= 90 2 ( 25.0 ) = 40.0 , and

d2 =

( 250 m ) 2 = 350 m
=
1 sin 1 sin 40.0

Thus, the height h = d2 sin = 350 msin 25.0 = 148 m

ANS. FIG. P37.17

P37.18

For a double-slit system, the path difference of the two wave fronts
arriving at a screen is = d sin and the phase difference is

=
(a)

2
2
2 y
=
d sin
d

For = 0.500,
2
d sin

2
=
0.120 103 m ) sin ( 0.500 ) = 13.2 rad
(
9
( 500 10 m )

(b)

5.00 103 m
2
y
3
d =
0.120

10
m
(
)

L ( 500 109 m )
1.20 m

= 6.28 rad

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756

Wave Optics
(c)

If = 0.333 rad =

2 d sin
, then

500 109 m ) ( 0.333 rad )

1 (
= sin
= sin

2 ( 0.120 103 m )
2 d

= 1.27 102
(d) If d sin =

, then
4

500 109 m

= sin 1 = sin 1

3
4d
4 ( 0.120 10 m )

= 5.97 102
P37.19

From the diagram, the path difference between rays 1 and 2 is

= d1 d2 = d sin 1 d sin 2
For constructive interference, this path difference must be equal to an
integral number of wavelengths:

d sin 1 d sin 2 = m
sin 1 sin 2 =

m
d

2 = sin 1 sin 1

ANS. FIG. P37.19

P37.20

(a)
(b)

y = 50y bright = 50 ( 4.52 103 m ) = 0.226 m = 22.6 cm

tan 1

(y )
=
bright

m=1

4.52 103 m
=
= 2.51 103
1.80 m

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Chapter 37

(c)

757

4.52 103 m
= 0.144
From (b), 1 = tan 1
1.80 m

sin 1 = 2.51 103

ANS. FIG. P37.20

The sine and the tangent are very nearly the same, but only
because the angle is small. From d sin bright = m , for m = 1:

d sin 1 ( 2.40 10
=
=
1

m ) sin ( 0.144 )
1

= 6.03 107 m

(d) From = d sin = m for the order m bright fringe,

50
50 = sin 1
= sin 1 ( 50 sin 1 ) = sin 1 [ 50 sin ( 0.144 )]

d
= 7.21

(e)

y 5 = L tan 5 = ( 1.80 m ) tan ( 7.21 ) = 2.26 102 m = 2.28 cm

(f)

The two answers are close but do not agree exactly. The fringes
are not laid out linearly on the screen as assumed in part (a),
and this nonlinearity is evident for relatively large angles such
as 7.21.

P37.21

(a)

The path difference = d sin , and when L >> y:

2
4
yd ( 1.80 10 m ) ( 1.50 10 m )
=
=
L
1.40 m

= 1.93 106 m = 1.93 m

(b)

1.93 106 m
=
= 3.00 , or
6.43 107 m

(c)

Point P will be a maximum because the path difference is an

= 3.00

integer multiple of the wavelength.

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758
P37.22

Wave Optics
Observe that the pilot must not only home in on the airport, but must
be headed in the right direction when she arrives at the end of the
runway.

c 3.00 108 m/s

=
= 10.0 m
f
30.0 106 s 1

(a)

(b)

The first side maximum is at an angle given by d sin = ( 1) .

( 40.0 m ) sin = 10.0 m

= 14.5

The 2.00 km is the length of the hypotenuse of a triangle with

angle :

y = L sin = ( 2 000 m ) sin 14.5 = 500 m

(c)

Section 37.3
P37.23

The intent is to inform the pilot which signal corresponds to the

central maximum. The signal of 10-m wavelength in parts (a) and
(b) would show maxima at 0, 14.5, 30.0, 48.6, and 90. A signal
of wavelength, say, 11.23 m, would show maxima at 0, 16.3,
34.2, and 57.3. The only value in common is 0. A strong signal
for both frequencies would indicate that the airplane was
traveling along the central maximum, thus, straight on the
runway. If 1 and 2 were related by a ratio of small integers in
f
1 n1
n
= , equivalent to 2 = 1 , then the equations d sin = n2 1
2 n2
f1 n2
and d sin = n12 would both be satisfied for the same nonzero
angle. The pilot could approach on an inappropriate bearing, and
run off the runway immediately after touchdown.

Intensity Distribution of the

Double-Slit Interference Pattern

We use Equation 37.14,

yd
I = I max cos 2
L
Solving and substituting then gives

I
I max

( 6.00 103 m ) ( 1.80 104 m )

= cos
= 0.968
9
( 656.3 10 m ) ( 0.800 m )
2

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Chapter 37
P37.24

759

We use trigonometric identities to write

E1 + E2 = 6.00 sin (100 t)
+ 8.00 sin(100 t + /2)
= 6.00 sin(100 t) + [ 8.00 sin(100 t)cos( /2)

+8.00 cos(100 t)sin( /2)]

E1 + E2 = 6.00 sin(100 t) + 8.00 cos(100 t)

and

ER sin(100 t + ) = ER sin(100 t)cos + ER cos(100 t)sin

The equation E1 + E2 = ER sin(100 t + ) is satisfied if we require
600 = ER cos and 8.00 = ER sin

P37.25

or

(6.00)2 + (8.00)2 = ER 2 (cos 2 + sin 2 ) ER = 10.0

and

tan = sin /cos = 8.00/6.00 = 1.33 = 53.1

We will use Equation 37.14 for

intensity in a double-slit interference
pattern, which is
d sin
I = I max cos 2

For small , from ANS. FIG. P37.25,

sin

ANS. FIG. P37.25

y
L

Substituting and solving gives

y=

L
I
cos 1
d
I max

Next, with I = 0.750Imax, we can substitute a value for each variable:

(6.00 10 m )(1.20 m) cos

y=
( 2.50 10 m )
7

P37.26

(a)

0.750 = 48.0 m

The resultant amplitude is

Er = E0 sin t + E0 sin ( t + ) + E0 sin ( t + 2 )

where =

2
d sin .

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760

Wave Optics
Expanding,

Er = E0 ( sin t + sin t cos + cos t sin

+ sin t cos 2 + cos t sin 2 )

Er = E0 ( sin t ) ( 1 + cos + 2 cos 2 1)

+ E0 ( cos t ) ( sin + 2 sin cos )

Er = E0 ( 1 + 2 cos ) ( sin t cos + cos t sin )

= E0 ( 1 + 2 cos ) sin ( t + )

Then the intensity is

2 1
I Er2 = E02 ( 1 + 2 cos )
2

where we have substituted the time average of sin 2 ( t + ) ,

1
which is . The maximum intensity occurs at = 0 :
2
9
2 1
I max E02 ( 1 + 2 cos 0 ) = E02
2
2

Therefore, the ratio of intensity to maximum intensity is

2 1
E02 ( 1 + 2 cos )
2
2 ( 1 + 2 cos )
I
=
=
9 2
I max
9
E0
2
I
2
I = max ( 1 + 2 cos )
9

I
I = max
9

2 d sin

1 + 2 cos

(b)

Look at the N = 3 graph in the textbook Figure 37.7. The intensity

is zero at two places between the relative maxima, attained where
1
cos = . The relative secondary maximum in the middle
2
I
I
occurs at cos = 1.00 , where I = max [1 2]2 = max .
9
9

(c)

The larger local maximum happens where cos = +1.00 , giving

I
I = max [1 + 2]2 = I max . The ratio of intensities at primary versus
9
secondary maxima is 9 : 1 .

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Chapter 37
P37.27

(a)

761

From Equation 37.14,

d sin
I = I max cos 2

with =

I
I max

2
d sin . This gives

= cos 2
2

Therefore,

= 2 cos 1
P37.28

I
I max

= 2 cos 1 0.640 = 1.29 rad

d sin
In Iavg = I max cos 2
for angles between 0.3 and +0.3 we may

take sin = (in radians) to find
( 250 m )
I = I max cos 2

0.546 m

This equation is correct assuming is in radians; but we can then

equally well substitute in values for in degrees and interpret the
argument of the cosine function as a number of degrees. We get the
same answers for negative and for positive. We evaluate
degrees

0.30 0.25 0.20 0.15 0.10 0.05 0.0

I/Imax

0.101 1.00

0.092 0.659 0.652 0.096 1.00

degrees

0.05

0.15

I/Imax

0.096 0.652 0.659 0.092 1.00

0.10

0.20

0.25

0.30
0.101

TABLE P37.28

ANS. FIG. P37.28

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762

Wave Optics
The cosine-squared function has maximum values of 1 at = 0, at
= 0.125, and at = 0.250. It has minimum values of zero halfway
between the maximum values. The graph then has the appearance
shown.

P37.29

(a)

From Equation 37.9,

2 d
2 d
y
sin =
2

y + D2

3
3
2 yd 2 ( 0.850 10 m ) ( 2.50 10 m )

=
= 7.95 rad
D
(600 109 m )( 2.80 m )

(b)

I
I max

I
I max

cos 2 ( d ) sin

cos 2 ( d ) sin max

= cos 2

cos 2 ( 2 )
cos 2 m

7.95 rad
= cos 2
= 0.453

2
2

Section 37.4

Change of Phase Due to Reflection

Section 37.5

Interference in Thin Films

P37.30

(a)

With phase reversal in the reflection at the outer surface of the

soap film and no reversal on reflection from the inner surface, the
condition for constructive interference in the light reflected from
the soap bubble is

1
1
1

2t = m + n = m +
2nt = m +

2
2 n
2

2nt
1

m +
2

where m = 0, 1, 2, . For the lowest order reflection (m = 0), and

the wavelength is

=
(b)

2 ( 1.33 ) ( 120 nm )
2nt
=
= 638 nm
12
(0 + 1 2)

A thicker film would require a higher order of reflection, so use a

larger value of m.

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Chapter 37
(c)

763

From (a) above, for a given wavelength, the thickness would be

1
1 638 nm

t = m+
= m+

2 2n
2 2 ( 1.33 )
The next greater thickness of soap film that can strongly reflect
638 nm light corresponds to m = 1, giving

1
1 638 nm

t = m+
= 1+
= 360 nm

2 2n
2 2 ( 1.33 )
and the third such thickness (corresponding to m = 2) is

1
1 638 nm

t = m+
= 2 +
= 600 nm

2 2n
2 2 ( 1.33 )
P37.31

The layers are air, oil, and water. Because 1 < 1.25 < 1.33, light reflected
both from the top and from the bottom surface of the oil suffers phase
reversal. For constructive interference we require
2t =

mcons
n

and for destructive interference,

m + ( 1 2 ) des
2t =
n
Then,

cons
1
640 nm
= 1+
=
= 1.25 and m = 2
dest
2m 512 nm

Therefore, t =
P37.32

2 ( 640 nm )
= 512 nm .
2 ( 1.25 )

There are a total of two phase reversals caused by reflection, one at the
top and one at the bottom surface of the coating.

2nt = m +

so

t = m+

2 2n

The minimum thickness of the film is therefore

1 ( 500 nm )
t=
= 96.2 nm
2 2 ( 1.30 )
P37.33

Treating the anti-reflectance coating like a camera-lens coating (two

phase reversals caused by reflection, one at the top and one at the
bottom surface of the coating),

1
1

2t = m +
2nt = m +

2 n
2
(destructive interference)
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764

Wave Optics
Let m = 0. Then,

t=

3.00 cm
=
= 0.500 cm
4n 4 ( 1.50 )

This anti-reflectance coating could be easily countered by changing the

wavelength of the radar to 1.50 cm. Then the coating would exhibit
maximum reflection!
P37.34

(a)

The film thickness is t = 1.00 105 cm = 1.00 107 m = 100 nm.

Since the light undergoes a 180 phase change at each surface of
the film, the condition for constructive interference is

2t = m ,
n

or

2nt 2 ( 1.38 ) ( 100 nm ) 276 nm

=
=
m
m
m

Therefore, the wavelengths intensified in the reflected light are,

for m = 1, 2, and 3:

= 276 nm, 138 nm, 92.0 nm

(b)

No visible wavelengths are intensified. Because m 1 , all

reflection maxima are in the ultraviolet and beyond.

P37.35

If the path length difference = , the transmitted light will be bright.

Since = 2d = ,
dmin =

P37.36

(a)

580 nm
=
= 290 nm
2
2

The light reflected from the top of the oil film undergoes phase
reversal. Since 1.45 > 1.33, the light reflected from the bottom
undergoes no reversal. For constructive interference of reflected
light, we then have

1
1

2t = m +
2nt = m +

2 n
2
or

m =

2 ( 1.45 ) ( 280 nm ) 812 nm

2nt
=
=
.
m+1 2
m+1 2
m+1 2

ANS. FIG. P37.36

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Chapter 37

765

Substituting for m gives:

m = 0, 0 = 1620 nm (infrared)
m = 1, 1 = 541 nm (green)
m = 2, 2 = 325 nm (ultraviolet)
Both infrared and ultraviolet light are invisible to the human eye,
so the dominant color in reflected light is green .
(b)

The dominant wavelengths in the transmitted light are those that

produce destructive interference in the reflected light. The
condition for destructive interference upon reflection is
2t = m

or

m =

2nt 812 nm
=
.
m
m

Substituting for m gives:

m = 1, 1 = 812 nm (near infrared)
m = 2, 2 = 406 nm (violet)
m = 3, 3 = 271 nm (ultraviolet)
Of these, the only wavelength visible to the human eye (and
hence the dominant wavelength observed in the transmitted
light) is 406 nm. Thus, the dominant color in the transmitted light
is violet .
P37.37

For destructive interference in the air,

2t = m
The first dark fringe occurs at the end
where the plates meet, where
destructive interference occurs
because of the phase reversal caused
by light reflecting from the top of the
lower glass slide. For 30 dark fringes,
including the one where the plates
meet, m = 29 and
n 29 ( 600 nm )
=
2
2
6
= 8.70 10 m = 8.70 m

t=

ANS. FIG. P37.37

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766

Wave Optics
The diameter of the wire is the same as the thickness:

d = t = 8.70 m
P37.38

Light waves are partially reflected and transmitted by the partially

aluminized glass surfaces on the front and back surfaces of the filter.
For maximum transmission, we want destructive interference between
the waves reflected from the front and back surfaces of the film: the
result of this interference is that most light of the H line is
transmitted through the filter.
(a)

If the surrounding glass has refractive index greater than 1.378,

light reflected from the front surface of the filter (glass-filter
interface) suffers no phase reversal and light reflected from the
back surface of the filter (filter-glass interface) does undergo
phase reversal. This effect by itself would produce destructive
interference, so we want the distance down and back to be one

whole wavelength in the film: 2t = .

n

t=

656.3 nm
=
= 238 nm
2n 2 ( 1.378 )

(b)

The filter will undergo thermal expansion. As t increases in

2nt = , so does increase .

(c)

Destructive interference for reflected light happens when

2
:
2t =
n

= nt = 1.378 ( 238 nm ) = 328 nm

P37.39

( near ultraviolet )

Reflection off the lower glass plate causes a phase reversal. The
condition for bright fringes is

2t = m +

2 n

m = 0, 1, 2, 3, .

From ANS. FIG. P37.39, observe that

2

2 R r
r2
t = R ( 1 cos ) R 1 1 + = =
2 2 R
2R

The condition for a bright fringe becomes

r2
1
= m+
R
2 n
Thus, for fixed m and , nr2 = constant.
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Chapter 37

767

Therefore,
nliquid rf2i = nair r 2 and nliquid = ( 1.00 )

(1.50 cm )2
(1.31 cm )2

= 1.31

ANS. FIG. P37.39

P37.40

(a)

The missing wavelength in reflected light is caused by destructive

interference. The index of the coating (1.38) is greater than that of
air (1.00), and the index of the glass (1.52) is greater than that of
the coating; therefore, light waves reflected off the front and back
surfaces of the coating undergo phase reversals. For destructive
interference,

2t = m +

2 n

m = 0, 1, 2, 3,

and n = 1.38

For the minimum thickness, m = 0:

2t = m +

2 n
(b)

t=

540 nm
=
= 97.8 nm
4n 4 ( 1.38 )

1
Yes. Destructive interference occurs when 2nt = (m + )
2
(Eq. 37.17), where m is an integer. (There is a phase change
at both faces of the film in Figure P37.40.) Hence, for m =
1, 2, ... we obtain thicknesses of 293 nm, 489 nm, ... .

P37.41

For total darkness, we want destructive interference for reflected light

for both 400 nm and 600 nm. With phase reversal at just one reflecting
surface (the bottom glass plate), the condition for destructive
interference is

2nairt = m

m = 0, 1, 2, .

The least common multiple of these two wavelengths is 1 200 nm, so

we get no reflected light at 2(1.00)t = 3(400 nm) = 2(600 nm) = 1 200
nm, so t = 600 nm at this second dark fringe.
By similar triangles,

600 nm 0.050 0 mm
=
x
10.0 cm

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768

Wave Optics
or the distance from the contact point is

0.100 m
x = ( 600 109 m )
= 1.20 mm
5.00 105 m

Section 37.6
P37.42

The Michelson Interferometer

When the mirror on one arm is displaced by , the path difference

changes by 2. A shift resulting in the reversal between dark and
bright fringes requires a path length change of one-half wavelength.
m
, where in this case, m = 250.
Therefore, 2 =
2

( 250 ) ( 6.328 10
= m =
4
4
*P37.43

m)

= 39.6 m

Counting light going both directions, the number of wavelengths

2ngas L
2L
2L
=
originally in the cylinder is m1 =
. It changes to m2 =
ngas

as the cylinder is filled with gas. If N is the number of bright fringes

2L
n 1 , or the index of refraction of the gas
passing, N = m2 m1 =
gas
is

ngas
P37.44

( 160 )( 600 109 m )

N
= 1+
= 1+
= 1.001
2L
2 ( 5.00 102 m )

Counting light going both directions, the number of wavelengths

2L 2nL
2L
=
originally in the cylinder is m1 =
. It changes to m2 =
as
n

the cylinder is filled with gas. If N is the number of bright fringes

2L
( n 1) , or the index of refraction of the gas is
passing, N = m2 m1 =

n = 1+

N
2L

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Chapter 37

769

Additional Problems
P37.45

The wavelength is

c 3.00 108 m/s

=
= 5.00 m
f
60.0 106 s 1

Along the line AB the two traveling waves going in opposite directions
add to give a standing wave. The two transmitters are exactly 2.00
wavelengths apart and the signal from B, when it arrives at A, will
always be in phase with transmitter B. Since B is 180 out of phase with
A, the two signals always interfere destructively at the position of A to
form a node.
The first antinode (point of constructive interference) is located at
distance

5.00 m
=
= 1.25 m from the node at A
4
4
*P37.46

From ANS. FIG. P37.46, we note that the

angle between the center line of the
speakers and the corners of the room is

1.5 m
= tan 1
= 14.0
6.0 m
ANS. FIG. P37.46
In order for no other maxima to be
heard, the m = 1 maximum must be
more than 14.0 away from the central maximum. From Equation 37.2,
the condition for constructive interference is

d sin bright = m
or

d sin bright
m

v
f

where v = 343 m/s is the speed of sound. Solving for f and substituting
m = 1 and = 14.0 then gives

f=
P37.47

v
mv
( 1)( 343 m/s )
=
=
= 1.4 102 Hz
d sin bright ( 1.0 m ) sin 14.0

The same source will radiate light into the sugar solution with

wavelength n = . In other words, the condition for bright fringes

n
becomes
d sin = mn d sin = m

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770

Wave Optics
Also, for small angles, as is the case here
sin tan =

y
L

The first side bright fringe (m = 1) is separated from the central bright
fringe by distance y described by

d sin = m

y
d =
L n
n

solving for y gives

y=
P37.48

(a)

9
L ( 560 10 m )( 1.20 m )
=
= 1.62 102 m = 1.62 cm
6
nd
( 1.38 )( 30.0 10 m )

Where fringes of the two colors coincide we have

d sin = m = m ,

(b)

requiring

m
=
m

= 430 nm, = 510 nm

m 430 nm 43
=
=
m 510 nm 51

which cannot be reduced any further. Then m = 51, m = 43. Then,

( 51)( 430 109 m )

m
1
m = sin
= sin
= 61.3
3
d
0.025 10 m
1

and

y m = L tan m = ( 1.5 m ) tan61.3 = 2.74 m

P37.49

(a)

Refer to ANS. FIG. P37.49. By similar triangles, the distance x

between consecutive like interference fringes (bright-to-bright, or
dark-to-dark) is to the change in thickness t of the air gap as the
entire length of a plate (14.0 cm) is to the diameter d of the fiber
(equal to the thickness of the air gap at the open end of the gap):
x
=
t d

where, say, between consecutive destructive interference fringes

2t = m + t =

2
2

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Chapter 37

771

Combing the two relations gives

=
2 d
and solving for the diameter d of the fiber then gives
2
9
( 14.0 10 m ) ( 650 10 m )
d=
=
2x
2 ( 0.580 103 m )

= 7.84 105 m = 78.4 m

ANS. FIG. P37.49

P37.50

Assume the distance between gaps is 2 cm.

(a)

Two adjacent directions of constructive interference for 600-nm

light are described by d sin = m , with 0 = 0. Then,

d sin = m

( 2 10

(b)

m ) sin 1 = 1( 600 109 m )

Thus,

1 = 2 103 ,

and

1 0 ~ 103 .

We choose 1 = 20. Then,

( 2 10

m ) sin 20 = ( 1)

Which gives = 7 mm. The frequency is then

f=
(c)
P37.51

c 3 108 m/s
=
~ 1011 Hz
3

7 10 m

Millimeter waves are microwaves .

Constructive interference occurs where the phases of the waves differ

by integral multiples m of 2 :

2 x2

2 x1
924 t +
924 t + = 2 m

650
6 650
8
2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

772

Wave Optics
which becomes

2 ( x1 x2 )
+ = 2 m
6 8
650

( x1 x2 ) +
650

x1 x2 = ( m

1
48

1
1

=m
12 16

) 650, where x

and x2 are in nanometers and

m = 0, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3,

P37.52

A bright line for the green light requires

d sin d tan = m11
y
d = m11
L

Similarly, a blue interference maximum requires

d

y
= m2 2
L

for integers m1 and m2. Thus,

m1 ( 540 nm ) = m2 ( 450 nm )
m2 540 nm 6
=
=
m1 450 nm 5
and smallest integers satisfying the equation are m1 = 5 and m2 = 6.
Then for both,
d

y
= 2 700 nm
L

which gives

1.4 m
L
y = ( 2 700 nm ) = ( 2.7 m )
= 2.52 cm
150 m
d
P37.53

If the center point on the screen is to be a dark spot rather than bright,
passage through the plastic must delay the light by one-half
t 1
t
nt
=
wavelength. Calling the thickness of the plastic t, + =
or
2 n

t=

where n is the index of refraction for the plastic.

2 ( n 1)

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Chapter 37
P37.54

773

There is no phase shift upon reflection from the upper surface (glass to

air) of the film, but there will be a shift of

due to the reflection at the
2
lower surface of the film (air to metal).
The total phase difference in the two reflected beams is then

= 2nt +

For constructive interference, = m , or

2 ( 1.00 ) t +

= m
2

Thus, the film thickness for the mth order bright fringe is

tm = m = m

2 4
2 2
and the thickness for the m 1 bright fringe is:

tm1 = ( m 1)
2 4
Therefore, the change in thickness required to go from one bright
fringe to the next is
t = tm tm1 =

To go through 200 bright fringes, the change in thickness of the air film
must be

200 = 100
2
Thus, the increase in the length of the rod is

L = 100 = 100 ( 5.00 107 m ) = 5.00 105 m

From

L = Li T

L
5.00 105 m
we have: =
=
= 20.0 10 6C 1
Li T ( 0.100 m ) ( 25.0C )
P37.55

Since 1 < 1.25 < 1.34, light reflected from top and bottom surfaces of
the oil undergoes phase reversal. The path difference is then 2t, thus
2t = mn =

m
n

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774

Wave Optics
for maximum reflection, with m = 1 for the given first-order condition
and n = 1.25. So

t=

m 1( 500 nm )
=
= 200 nm
2n
2 ( 1.25 )

The volume we assume to be constant:

1.00 m3 = (200 nm)A
The area is then
A=

P37.56

1.00 m 3
= 5.00 106 m 2 = 5.00 km 2
9
( 200 10 m )

The interfering waves travel either along the hypotenuses or the bases
of the right triangles. The total length of the two bases is 15.0 km. The
condition for destructive interference for minimum height h is
2

(15.0 10

m ) + h2 2 ( 15.0 103 m ) = 2 = 175 m

(15.0 10

m ) + h2 = 30.175 103 m

h = 1.62 103 m = 1.62 km

ANS. FIG. P37.56

P37.57

We may treat this problem as a double slit experiment where the

second slit is the mirror image of the source, 1.00 cm below the mirror
plane; however, we must remember that the light undergoes a

phase shift at the mirror, so light and dark fringes are interchanged
2
in the interference pattern. Thus, for destructive interference, the path
length must differ by m. For dark for the first dark fringe (modifying
Equation 37.7), we have

ydark =
P37.58

7
m L 1( 5.00 10 m ) ( 100 m )
=
= 2.50 mm
d
( 2.00 102 m )

From Equation 37.14, for wavelength 1 = 600 nm ,

I
I max

yd
= cos 2
= 0.810
1 L

I
yd
= 1 cos 1 1
L
I max

12

= ( 600 nm ) cos 1 ( 0.810 )

12

= 271 nm

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Chapter 37

775

For the same y, d, and L, let 2 be the wavelength for which

I2
I 2, max

= 0.640

Then,

yd L

2 =

cos 1 I 2 I 2, max

12

271 nm
1 2 = 421 nm
cos 1 ( 0.640 )

I
Note that in this problem, cos
I max
1

P37.59

12

must be expressed in radians.

As with any air gap between glass plates, light reflecting off the lower
plate undergoes a phase reversal. Thus, for the mth-dark fringe after
the first fringe (m = 0), with the gap filled with air:
2nt = m
where n = 1.00 and m = 1, 2, , 84. So, at the widest edge of the wedge,
t=

84
= 42
2

When submerged in water,

2nt = m
m=

2nt 2 ( 1.33 )[( 42 ) ]

=
= 111.7 = 111

So, counting the first fringe (m = 0), the total number of fringes is

m + 1 = 112 dark fringes

P37.60

Refer to Figure P37.60. Call t the thickness of the sheet. With the sheet in
place, the central maximum corresponds to zero phase difference. Thus,
the added distance traveled by the light from the lower slit introduces
a phase difference equal to that introduced by the plastic film sheet. Call
the original length of the path from the upper slit to the screen D; then,
the original number of wavelengths along distance D are

N0 =

D
a

where a is the wavelength in air. With the plastic sheet in the path,
the number of wavelengths changes to
N=

Dt t
Dt
t
D t + nt D + ( n 1) t
+
=
+
=
=
a
p
a
a n
a
a

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776

Wave Optics
where a is the wavelength in plastic. The phase difference introduced
by the plastic sheet is
D + ( n 1) t D
( n 1) t
= 2 ( N N 0 ) = 2
= 2
a
a
a

The corresponding difference in path length is

( n 1) t a
= a = 2
= t ( n 1)
2
a 2

Note that the wavelength of the light does not appear in this equation.
In the figure, the two rays from the slits are essentially parallel.
Thus the angle may be expressed as

sin =

( n 1) t
=

d
d

( n 1) t
= sin 1

The height y of the central maximum is given by

y
= tan
L

from which we obtain

( n1) Lt
( n1) t
y = L tan sin 1
=

2
2
d

d ( n1) t 2
P37.61

From Figure P37.61, observe that the distance that the ray travels from
the top of the transmitter to the ground is
d
x = h2 +
2

50.0 m
2
( 35.0 m )2 +
= 1850 m = 43.0 m
2

Including the phase reversal due to reflection from the ground, the
total shift between the two waves (transmitter-to-ground-to-receiver
and transmitter-to-receiver) is

= 2x +

d
2

For constructive interference,

2x +

2x d
d = m =
1
2

m
2

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Chapter 37

777

and for destructive interference

2x +
(a)

The longest wavelength that interferes constructively is, for m = 1,

(b)

2x d
= 14x 2d = 4 1850 m 2 2 ( 50.0 m ) = 72.0 m
1

1
2

The longest wavelength that interferes destructively is, for m = 1,

=
P37.62

1
2x d

d = m+ =

2
2
m

2x d
= 2 1850 m 2 50.0 m = 36.0 m
1

From Figure P37.57, observe that the distance that the ray travels from
the top of the transmitter to the ground is
2

d
x= h + =
2
2

4h2 + d 2
2

Including the phase reversal due to reflection from the ground, the
total shift between the two waves (transmitter-to-ground-to-receiver
and transmitter-to-receiver) is

= 2x +

d
2

For constructive interference,

2x +

2x d
d = m =
1
2

m
2

and for destructive interference

2x +
(a)

The longest wavelength that interferes constructively is, for m = 1,

(b)

1
2x d

d = m+ =

2
2
m

2x d
4 4h2 + d 2
= 4x 2d =
2d = 2 4h2 + d 2 2d
1

2
1
2

The longest wavelength that interferes destructively is, for m = 1,

2x d
=
1

4h2 + d 2 d

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778
P37.63

Wave Optics
(a)

There is a phase reversal by reflection at the flat plate.

Constructive interference in the reflected light requires
1

2t = m + .

2
The first bright ring has m = 0 and the 55th has m = 54, so at the
edge of the lens

1
650 109 m

t = m + = ( 54.5 )
= 17.7 m

2 2
2
Now from the geometry in textbook Figure P37.59, we can find
the distance t from the curved surface down to the flat plate by
considering distances measured from the center of curvature:

R 2 r 2 = R t or R 2 r 2 = R 2 2Rt + t 2
Solving for R gives
2
5
r 2 + t 2 ( 5.00 10 m ) + ( 1.77 10 m )
R=
=
= 70.6 m
2t
2 ( 1.77 105 m )
2

(b)
P37.64

1
1
1
1
1

= ( n 1)
= 0.520
70.6 m
f
R2 R2

so

f = 136 m

Reflection off the top surface of the wedge produced a phase reversal,
but light reflecting off the bottom surface produces no phase change.
Thus, a first dark fringe occurs at the thin end of the wedge. For bright
fringes in the thin film, the thickness is given by Equation 37.17:

m + 1

2
t=
2n
The first fringe corresponds to m = 0, the second to m = 1, etc.; so the
Nth fringe corresponds to N = m + 1.
To find how many fringes are present, we solve for m by setting t = h:
3
1 2nt 2nh 2 ( 1.50 )( 1.00 10 m )
m+ =
=
=
= 4 740
2

(632.8 109 m )

m = 4 740
So, the number of fringes is N = m + 1 = 4 741. This number is less than
5000.

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Chapter 37
P37.65

779

Light reflecting from the upper interface of the air layer suffers no
phase change, while light reflecting from the lower interface is
reversed 180. Then there is indeed a dark fringe at the outer
circumference of the lens, and a dark fringe wherever the air thickness
t satisfies
2t = m,

m = 0, 1, 2, .

ANS. FIG. P37.65

(a)

At the central dark spot, m = 50 and

50
2
= 25 ( 589 109 m ) = 1.47 105 m = 14.7 m

t0 =

(b)

In the right triangle,

R 2 = r 2 + ( R t0 )

( 8.00 m )2 = r 2 + ( 8.00 m 1.47 105 m )

( 8.00 m )2 = r 2 + ( 8.00 m )2
2 ( 8.00 m )( 1.47 105 m ) + 2.16 1010 m 2

r 2 = 2 ( 8.00 m )( 1.47 105 m ) 2.16 1010 m 2

The last term is negligible. Then,

r = 2 ( 8 m ) ( 1.47 105 m ) = 1.53 102 m = 1.53 cm

(c)

1
1
1
1
1
= ( n 1)
= ( 1.50 1)
8.00 m
f
R1 R2

f = 16.0 m

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780
P37.66

Wave Optics
The shift between the waves reflecting from
the top and bottom surfaces of the film at
the point where the film has thickness t is

being
= 2tnfilm + , with the factor of
2
2
due to a phase reversal at one of the
surfaces.
For the dark rings (destructive interference),
1

the total shift should be = m + with

2
m = 0, 1, 2, 3, . This requires that
m
t=
. To find t in terms of r and R,
2nfilm

ANS. FIG. P37.66

R 2 = r 2 + ( R t ) r 2 = 2Rt + t 2
2

Since t is much smaller than R, t2 << 2Rt, therefore

m
r 2 2Rt = 2R
2nfilm

Thus, r
P37.67

m R
nfilm

where m is an integer.

Refer to the solution of P37.57. We may treat this as a double-slit

interference problem, where d = 2h, but with maxima and minima
interchanged because of phase reversal caused by the reflection off the
mirror:

d sin = 2h sin = m +

2
and sin tan =

bright fringe

y
for small angles; hence,
L

2h sin = m +

2
1
y
2h = m +
L
2
The spacing between consecutive fringes corresponding to m and m + 1
is

y
2h =
L
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Chapter 37

781

so
9
L ( 2.00 m )( 606 10 m )
h=
=
2y
2 ( 1.20 103 m )

= 5.05 104 m = 0.505 mm

P37.68

(a)

For a linear function taking the value n = 1.90 at y = 0 and n = 1.33

at y = 20.0 cm, we write
n(y) = 1.90 + (1.33 1.90)y/(20.0 cm)
or

(b)

n(y) = 1.90 0.0285 y/cm

The optical path length is

20.0 cm

20.0 cm

n(y)dy = 0

[1.90 0.0285 y cm]dy

0.0285y 2
= 1.90y
2

20.0 cm

= 38.0 cm 5.7 cm = 32.3 cm

(c)

P37.69

A wavefront slows down as it travels deeper into the mixture to

regions of greater index of refraction. The lower part of the
wavefront travels more slowly than the upper part; the result is
that the wavefront bends, becoming more horizontal. The path is
similar to that of a beam crossing the boundary between a
medium of lesser to a medium of greater index of refraction, as,
for example, from air into water: the beam tends to bend toward
the normal. The difference is that the change in direction is
gradual rather than sudden. The beam will continuously curve
downward.

One radio wave reaches the receiver R directly from the distant source
at an angle above the horizontal. The other wave undergoes phase
reversal as it reflects from the water at P. The distance from P to R is
the same as from P to R, where R is the mirror image of the telescope.
Therefore, the path difference is d.

ANS. FIG. P37.69

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782

Wave Optics
Constructive interference first occurs for a path difference of
d=

[1]

The angles in the figure are equal because they each form part of a
right triangle with a shared angle at R.
So the path difference is

d = 2 ( 20.0 m ) sin = ( 40.0 m ) sin

The wavelength is
c 3.00 108 m/s
= =
= 5.00 m
f
60.0 106 Hz
Substituting for d and in equation [1],

( 40.0 m ) sin =

5.00 m
2

Solving for the angle ,

5.00 m
= sin 1
= 3.58
80.0 m
P37.70

One phase reversal occurs by reflection off the front of the soap film.
(a)

Bright bands are observed when 2nt = m + .

2
Hence, the first bright band (m = 0) corresponds to nt =

.
4

By similar triangles, the distance x from the top where a fringe

occurs is proportional to the thickness t of the film:

x1 t1
=
x 2 t2
Thus, we have
t

680 nm
x2 = x1 2 = x1 2 = ( 3.00 cm )
= 4.86 cm
420 nm
t1
1

(b)

t1 =

1 420 nm
=
= 78.9 nm
4n 4 ( 1.33 )

t2 =

2 680 nm
=
= 128 nm
4n 4 ( 1.33 )

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Chapter 37

(c)

tan =

783

t1 78.9 nm
=
= 2.63 106 rad
x1 3.00 cm

Challenge Problems
P37.71

Refer to ANS. FIG. P37.71 for the geometry of the situation. At the airfilm interface, Snells law gives

1.00 sin 30.0 = 1.38 sin 2

2 = 21.2

ANS. FIG. P37.71

Call t the unknown thickness of the film. Then,
cos 21.2 =

t
t
a=
a
cos 21.2

tan 21.2 =

c
t

sin 1 =

b
2c

c = t tan 21.2
b = 2t ( tan 21.2 ) ( sin 30.0 )

The net shift for the second ray, including the phase reversal on
reflection of the first, is
2an b

where the factor n accounts for the shorter wavelength in the film. For
constructive interference, we require
2an b

= m
2

The minimum thickness will occur when m = 0 and will be given by

2an b

=0
2

Then,

nt
= 2an b = 2
2t ( tan 21.2 ) ( sin 30.0 )
2
cos 21.2
2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

784

Wave Optics

and

590 nm 2 ( 1.38 )

=
2 ( tan 21.2 )( sin 30.0 ) t = 2.57t
2
cos 21.2

which gives t = 115 nm .

P37.72

, where a
2
and b are as shown in the ray diagram in ANS. FIG. P37.72, n is the

index of refraction, and the term

is due to phase reversal at the top
2
surface. For constructive interference, = m , where m has integer
values. This condition becomes
The shift between the two reflected waves is = 2na b

2na b = m +

[1]

ANS. FIG. P37.72

From the figures geometry,
a=

t
cos 2

t sin 2
cos 2
2t sin 2
b = 2c sin 1 =
sin 1
cos 2
c = a sin 2 =

Also, from Snells law, sin 1 = nsin 2 .

Thus,

2nt sin 2 2
b=
.
cos 2

With these results, the condition for constructive interference given in

equation [1] becomes:
t 2nt sin 2 2
1
2n

= m+

cos 2
2
cos 2
2nt
1

1 sin 2 2 ) = m +
(

cos 2
2
2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.

Chapter 37

(1 sin ) = m + 1
2

2nt

1 sin 2

Using sin 1 = nsin 2

2nt 1
(a)

2nt 1 sin 2 2 = m +

or

P37.73

785

sin 2 = sin 1 n, we have finally

sin 2 1
= m+ 21 , where m = 0, 1, 2,
2
n

Minimum: 2nt = m2

for m = 0, 1, 2,

Maximum: 2nt = m + 1 for m = 0, 1, 2,

2
Note that m and m are distinct integer values, and must be
consecutive because no intensity minima are observed between
1 and 2 .

Also, 1 > 2 m +

1
< m, so m = m 1.
2

Thus, we have

1
1

2nt = m2 = m + 1 = ( m 1) + 1

2
2

m2 = m 1

2
2m2 = 2m1 1
so
(b)

m=

1
.
2 ( 1 2 )

500 nm
= 1.92 2 (wavelengths measured to
2 ( 500 nm 370 nm )
5 nm )

m=

Minimum: 2nt = m2
2(1.40)t = 2(370 nm)

t = 264 nm

1
1

Maximum: 2nt = m + = m 1 + = 1.5

2
2
2(1.40)t = 1.5(500 nm)

t = 268 nm

Film thickness = 266 nm

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786
P37.74

Wave Optics
The amplitude of the light from slit 1 is three times that from slit 2;
therefore, the magnitude of the light arriving at the screen at some
point P is

EP = E1 + E2 = 3E0 sin ( t ) + E0 sin ( t + )

= E0 3sin t + sin ( t + )
EP
= 3sin ( t ) + sin ( t + )
E0
= 3sin ( t ) + sin ( t ) cos ( ) + cos ( t ) sin ( )
= sin ( t ) 3 + cos ( ) + cos ( t ) sin ( )
The square of this expression is
2

EP
2
2
E = sin ( t ) 3 + cos ( )
0

+ 2 sin ( t ) cos ( t ) 3 + cos ( ) sin ( )

+ cos 2 ( t ) sin 2 ( )
2

EP
2
2
E = sin ( t ) 3 + cos ( ) + sin ( 2 t ) 3 + cos ( ) sin ( )
0

+ cos 2 ( t ) sin 2 ( )
and the time average of this expression is
2

EP
1
1
2
2
E = 2 3 + cos ( ) + 2 sin ( )
0
=

1
1
9 + 6 cos ( ) + cos 2 ( ) + sin 2 ( ) = 10 + 6 cos ( )
2
2

because the time average of sin 2 ( t ) and cos 2 ( t ) is

average of sin ( 2 t ) is zero. Using the identity

1
, and the time
2

cos ( ) = cos + = 2 cos 2 1

2 2
2
we have
2

EP
1
1

2
E = 2 10 + 6cos ( ) = 2 10 + 6 2 cos 2 1

0
=

4 + 12 cos 2 = 2 1 + 3cos 2

2
2
2

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Chapter 37

787

Intensity is proportional to the time average of the square of the

amplitude, so

I EP2 = 2E02 1 + 3 cos 2

2

At the central maximum, = 0 , so the maximum intensity is

I max 2E02 1 + 3 cos 2 ( 0 ) = 2E02 ( 4 ) = 8E02

Thus, we have

2E02 1 + 3 cos 2
2 1
I

=
= 1 + 3 cos 2
2
2
I max
8E0
4
I=
P37.75

I max
4

2
1 + 3 cos 2

Represent the light radiated from each slit to

point P as a phasor. The two have very nearly
equal amplitudes E. Since intensity is
proportional to amplitude squared, we are told
they add to amplitude 3E. As shown in the
figure, the triangle representing the sum of
phasors may be divided into two right triangles
whose common side that bisects the line of length
triangle, we see that

cos =

ANS. FIG. P37.75

3E. From either

3E 2
= 30
E

Next, the obtuse angle between the two phasors is 180 30 30 = 120,
and so = 180 120 = 60 .
The phase difference between the two phasors is caused by the path

difference from S to the slits, = SS 2 SS1 , according to =

,
360
60
=
= . Then
360 6

= L2 + d 2 L =

2L 2
2L 2
2
L +d =L +
+
d =
+
6
36
6
36
2

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788

Wave Optics
The last term is negligible, so

2L
d=
6
P37.76

12

2 ( 1.2 m ) ( 620 109 m )

6

= 0.498 mm

For bright rings the gap t between surfaces is given by 2t = m +

The first bright ring has m = 0 and the hundredth has m = 99.

1
.
2

ANS. FIG. P37.76

So,

t=

1
( 99.5) ( 500 109 m ) = 24.9 m
2

Call rb the ring radius. From the geometry shown in ANS. FIG. P37.76,

) (

t = r r 2 rb2 R R 2 rb2
2

r
r
= r r 1 b R + R 1 b
r
R

Since rb << r, we can expand in binomial series:

1 r2
1 r2 1 r2 1 r2
t = r r 1 b2 R + R 1 b2 = b b
2r
2R 2 r 2 R

2t
rb =

1 r 1 R

12

2 ( 24.9 106 m )
=

1 4.00 m 1 12.0 m

12

= 1.73 cm

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Chapter 37

789

ANSWERS TO EVEN-NUMBERED PROBLEMS

P37.2

3.53 mm

P37.4

515 nm

P37.6

The sine of the angle for m = 1 fringe is greater than 1, which is

impossible.

P37.8

(a) 1.77 m; (b) 1.47 m

P37.10

36.2 cm

P37.12

(a) 34.9; (b) 5.25 cm; (c) 5.24 1014 Hz

P37.14

11.3 m

P37.16

m
v tan sin 1
d

P37.18

(a) 13.2 rad; (b) 6.28 rad; (c) 1.27 102 deg; (d) 5.97 102 deg

P37.20

(a) 22.6 cm; (b) 2.51 103; (c) 6.03 107 m; (d) 7.21; (e) 2.28 cm; (f) The
two answers are close but do not agree exactly. The fringes are not laid
out linearly on the screen as assumed in part (a), and this nonlinearity
is evident for relatively large angles such as 7.21.

P37.22

(a) 10 m; (b) 500 m; (c) See P37.22(c) for full explanation.

P37.24

ER = 10.0 and = 53.1

2

P37.26

I
2 d sin
(a) I = max 1 + 2 cos
; (b) See P37.24(b) for full

explanation; (c) 9:1

P37.28

See ANS. FIG. P37.28.

P37.30

(a) 638 nm; (b) A thicker film would require a higher order of
reflection, so use a larger value of m; (c) 360 nm, 600 nm

P37.32

96.2 nm

P37.34

(a) 276 nm, 138 nm, 92.0 nm; (b) No visible wavelengths are intensified.

P37.36

(a) green; (b) violet

P37.38

(a) 238 nm; (b) increase; (c) 328 nm

P37.40

(a) 97.8 nm; (b) Yes. Destructive interference occurs when

1
2nt = (m + ) (Eq. 37.17), where m is an integer. (There is a phase
2
change at both faces of the film in Figure P37.40.) Hence, for m = 1, 2,
we obtain thicknesses of 293 nm, 489 nm, . . .

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790

Wave Optics

P37.42

39.6 m

P37.44

1+

P37.46

1.4 102 Hz

P37.48

(a) See P37.48(a) for full explanation; (b) 2.74 m

P37.50

(a) ~103 degree; (b) ~1011 Hz; (c) microwaves

P37.52

2.52 cm

P37.54

20.0 106 C1

P37.56

1.62 km

P37.58

421 nm

P37.60

( n1) t
y=L tan sin 1
=
d

P37.62

(a) 2 4h2 + d 2 2d; (b)

P37.64

The number of fringes is N = m + 1 = 474 1. This number is less than

5 000.

P37.66

P37.68

(a) n(y) = 1.90 0.0285 y/cm; (b) 32.3 cm; (c) The beam will
continuously curve downward.

P37.70

(a) 4.86 cm; (b) 78.9 nm, 128 nm; (c) 2.63 106 rad

P37.72

2nt 1

P37.74

See P37.74 for full explanation.

P37.76

1.73 cm

N
2L

( n1) Lt
2
( n1) t 2

4h2 + d 2 d

m R
nfilm

sin 2 1
=( m+ 21 ) , where m = 0, 1, 2,
2
n

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