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8.2. Diffraction
A subsection of Physics, 9702, through 8. Superposition
Listing 10 of 37 questions
State what is meant by a progressive wave. The variation with distance x along a progressive wave of a quantity y, at a particular time, is shown in . y x State what the quantity y could represent. Distinguish between the quantity y for 1. a transverse wave, 2. a longitudinal wave. The wave nature of light may be demonstrated using the phenomena of diffraction and interference. Outline how diffraction and how interference may be demonstrated using light. In each case, draw a fully labelled diagram of the apparatus that is used and describe what is observed. diffraction interference
9702_w09_qp_21
THEORY
2009
Paper 2, Variant 1
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State what is meant by the diffraction of a wave. Plane wavefronts are incident on a slit, as shown in . slit Complete to show four wavefronts that have emerged from the slit. Monochromatic light is incident normally on a diffraction grating having 650 lines per millimetre, as shown in . zero order first order first order second order second order grating monochromatic light third order third order An image (the zero order) is observed for light that has an angle of diffraction equal to zero. For incident light of wavelength 590 nm, determine the number of orders of diffracted light that can be observed on each side of the zero order. number = The images in are viewed, starting with the zero order and then with increasing order number. State how the appearance of the images changes as the order number increases.
9702_w10_qp_21
THEORY
2010
Paper 2, Variant 1
View
State what is meant by the diffraction of a wave. Laser light of wavelength 500 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating. The resulting diffraction pattern has diffraction maxima up to and including the fourth-order maximum. Calculate, for the diffraction grating, the minimum possible line spacing. line spacing = m The light in is now replaced with red light. State and explain whether this is likely to result in the formation of a fifth-order diffraction maximum.
9702_w16_qp_21
THEORY
2016
Paper 2, Variant 1
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State what is meant by the diffraction of a wave. An arrangement for demonstrating the interference of light is shown in . laser light 0.41 mm double slit screen Y dark fringe X central bright fringe Z dark fringe ' 2.0 mm wavelength 580 nm (not to scale) The wavelength of the light from the laser is 580 nm. The separation of the slits is 0.41 mm. The perpendicular distance between the double slit and the screen is D. Coherent light emerges from the slits and an interference pattern is observed on the screen. The central bright fringe is produced at point X. The closest dark fringes to point X are produced at points Y and Z. The distance XY is 2.0 mm. Explain why a bright fringe is produced at point X. State the difference in the distances, in nm, from each slit to point Y. distance = nm Calculate the distance D. D = m The intensity of the light passing through the two slits was initially the same. The intensity of the light through one of the slits is now reduced. Compare the appearance of the fringes before and after the change of intensity.
9702_w16_qp_22
THEORY
2016
Paper 2, Variant 2
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State what is meant by the diffraction of a wave. Laser light of wavelength 500 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating. The resulting diffraction pattern has diffraction maxima up to and including the fourth-order maximum. Calculate, for the diffraction grating, the minimum possible line spacing. line spacing = m The light in is now replaced with red light. State and explain whether this is likely to result in the formation of a fifth-order diffraction maximum.
9702_w16_qp_23
THEORY
2016
Paper 2, Variant 3
View
Questions Discovered
37