1.

A simple experiment using a laser pointer, razor blade (to create a narrow slit), and a screen
demonstrates the wave nature of light and disproves a purely particulate theory. Directing the
laser at the slit and observing the pattern on the screen reveals a key difference from particulate
predictions. A labelled diagram would show the laser, slit, and screen setup.

If light were solely particulate, a sharp line, corresponding to the slit's shape, would be projected.
However, a diffraction pattern is observed: a bright central fringe with dimmer fringes on either side.
This spreading of light contradicts the particulate model.

This diffraction pattern is characteristic of waves. When a wave encounters an aperture comparable to its
wavelength, it diffracts (bends/spreads). Huygens' principle explains this: each point within the slit acts
as a source of secondary wavelets that interfere. Constructive interference (crests/troughs meeting)
creates bright fringes; destructive interference (crest meeting trough) creates dark fringes. The central
maximum is due to maximum constructive interference.

This observed diffraction pattern, with its spreading and interference fringes, is inexplicable by a simple
particle model. Therefore, this experiment provides strong evidence for the wave nature of light,
disproving the purely particulate theory

This experiment is a variation of the single-slit diffraction experiment. It's often used to demonstrate the
wave nature of light, as it clearly shows the diffraction pattern produced when light passes through a
narrow aperture. While the classic double-slit ex periment (Young's double-slit experiment) is famous for
demonstrating interference, the single-slit experiment focuses on diffraction as the primary
phenomenon.

b) Young's double-slit experiment demonstrates interference of light. Two slits (S1, S2),
separated by a, are illuminated by coherent light. A screen is placed a distance D away. A
diagram should show this setup, including the central bright fringe (O) and a point P
where another bright fringe is observed, distance y from O.

The path difference (δ) between light waves from S1 and S2 to P is approximately asinθ, where θ
is the angle from the midpoint of the slits to P. For constructive interference (bright fringes), δ =
nλ (n=0, 1, 2...). Thus, asinθ = nλ.
For small angles, sinθ ≈ tanθ = y/D. Substituting this into the previous equation gives a(y/D) = nλ.

For the first-order fringe (n=1), the separation y between the central and first fringe is given by y
= λD/a. This formula relates fringe spacing (y) to wavelength (λ), slit separation (a), and screen
distance (D).
c)

 Slit spacing (a) = 0.56 mm = 0.56 x 10⁻³ m

 Distance across four fringes = 3.6 mm = 3.6 x 10⁻³ m
 Distance to the screen (D) = 0.8 m

wavelength (λ).;

Fringe Spacing (y):

The distance given (3.6 mm) is for four fringes. The fringe spacing (y) is the distance between
adjacent fringes (e.g., the distance between the central maximum and the first bright fringe, or
between the first and second bright fringes). Therefore, we need to divide the total distance by
the number of spaces between the fringes. Four fringes have three spaces between them.

y = (3.6 x 10⁻³ m) / 3 = 1.2 x 10⁻³ m

Formula for Fringe Spacing:

The formula we derived earlier is:

y = λD/a

to find λ:

λ = ya/D

Substitute the Values and Calculate:

Now, we plug in the values we have:

λ = (1.2 x 10⁻³ m) * (0.56 x 10⁻³ m) / (0.8 m)

λ = (0.672 x 10⁻⁶ m²) / (0.8 m)

λ = 0.84 x 10⁻⁶ m

Express the Answer in Nanometers:

multiply by 10⁹:

λ = 0.84 x 10⁻⁶ m * (10⁹ nm/1 m) = 840 nm

Answer:

The wavelength of the monochromatic light used in the experiment is 840 nm.
 2.
a) Diffraction of light refers to the spreading of light waves as they pass through an aperture
or around an obstacle.
This phenomenon demonstrates the wave nature of light, causing it to deviate from the
straight-line propagation predicted by geometric optics. When a light wave encounters an
obstacle or opening comparable in size to its wavelength, it bends and spreads into the region
that would otherwise be considered a shadow. This bending arises from the principle that
every point on a wavefront acts as a source of secondary wavelets, as described by Huygens'
principle. These wavelets interfere with each other, leading to observable patterns of
constructive and destructive interference, such as the bright and dark fringes seen in single-
slit or double-slit diffraction experiments. The degree of diffraction is dependent on the
relative sizes of the wavelength of light and the aperture or obstacle; greater diffraction
occurs when the wavelength is larger relative to the size of the aperture

b)

i.

Given:

 Angle between two first-order fringes = 27.7°

 Wavelength of light (λ) = 5.89 x 10⁻⁷ m

Angle for a Single First-Order Fringe: The given angle is the separation between the two first-order
fringes. The angle (θ) for a single first-order fringe relative to the normal (central maximum) is half of
this:

θ = 27.7° / 2 = 13.85°

Diffraction Grating Equation: The relationship between the angle of diffraction (θ), the wavelength of
light (λ), the order of the fringe (n), and the grating spacing (d) is given by the diffraction grating
equation:

nλ = dsinθ

 Solving for Grating Spacing (d): We are considering the first-order fringe (n = 1). Rearranging the
equation to solve for d:

d = nλ / sinθ

 Substitution and Calculation: Substituting the known values (n = 1, λ = 5.89 x 10⁻⁷ m, and θ =
13.85°):

d = (1 * 5.89 x 10⁻⁷ m) / sin(13.85°)

d = (5.89 x 10⁻⁷ m) / 0.239

 d ≈ 2.46 x 10⁻⁶ m

 Conversion to Rulings per mm: The grating spacing (d) is the distance between adjacent rulings,
expressed here in meters. To find the number of rulings per millimeter:

o Convert d to millimeters:

d ≈ 2.46 x 10⁻⁶ m * (1000 mm/1 m) = 2.46 x 10⁻³ mm

o Calculate the number of rulings per mm (this is the reciprocal of d in mm):

Number of rulings per mm = 1 / d = 1 / (2.46 x 10⁻³ mm) ≈ 407 rulings/mm

Final Answer: The diffraction grating has approximately 407 rulings per millimeter.

ii)

Given:

 Wavelength of light (λ) = 5.89 x 10⁻⁷ m

 Grating spacing (d) ≈ 2.46 x 10⁻⁶ m (calculated in the previous part)

Solution:

The diffraction grating equation is:

nλ = dsinθ

To find the highest order (n), we need to consider the maximum possible value of sinθ. The sine
function has a maximum value of 1 (which occurs when θ = 90°).

Therefore, the maximum order (n_max) can be found using:

n_max * λ = d * 1

n_max = d/λ

Substituting the values:

n_max = (2.46 x 10⁻⁶ m) / (5.89 x 10⁻⁷ m)

n_max ≈ 4.18

Since n must be an integer (representing the order of the fringe), the highest integer order that can
be observed is 4.

Final Answer: The highest order of fringes obtained on each side of the normal is 4.
 3)
i) Threshold of hearing is the smallest sound intensity that can be detected by the human ear
which in an the average healthy adult is 0 decibels.

(ii) Relationship between Sound Intensity Level and Threshold of Hearing

The sound intensity level (SIL) in decibels (dB) is related to the sound intensity (I) and the
threshold of hearing (I₀) by the following equation:
SIL = 10 log₁₀(I/I₀)
Where:
 SIL is the sound intensity level in dB
 I is the sound intensity in W m⁻²
 I₀ is the threshold of hearing, which is defined as 1.0 x 10⁻¹² W m⁻²

(iii) Determining Intensity at 90 dB

Given:
 Sound intensity level (SIL) = 90 dB
We need to find the intensity (I) in W m⁻².
Using the equation from part (ii):
90 = 10 log₁₀(I/1.0 x 10⁻¹²)
1. Divide both sides by 10:
9 = log₁₀(I/1.0 x 10⁻¹²)
2. Take the antilog (10 to the power of both sides):
10⁹ = I/1.0 x 10⁻¹²
3. Multiply both sides by 1.0 x 10⁻¹² to solve for I:
I = 10⁹ * 1.0 x 10⁻¹²
I = 1.0 x 10⁻³ W m⁻²
 Given:
 Sound Intensity (I) = 1.0 x 10⁻³ W m⁻² (calculated in the previous part)
 Time (t) = 3 hours = 3 * 3600 seconds = 10800 seconds
 Eardrum surface area (A) = 0.5 cm² = 0.5 x 10⁻⁴ m² (Important conversion!)
Solution:
1. Relationship between Intensity, Power, and Area: Sound intensity (I) is defined as power (P) per
unit area (A):
I = P/A
2. Calculate Power (P): Rearranging the equation to solve for power:
P=I*A
P = (1.0 x 10⁻³ W m⁻²) * (0.5 x 10⁻⁴ m²)
P = 0.5 x 10⁻⁷ W = 5.0 x 10⁻⁸ W
3. Relationship between Power, Energy, and Time: Power (P) is defined as energy (E) per unit time
(t):
P = E/t
4. Calculate Energy (E): Rearranging to solve for energy:
E=P*t
E = (5.0 x 10⁻⁸ W) * (10800 s)
E = 5.4 x 10⁻⁴ J
Final Answer:
The amount of energy incident on the student's eardrum is 5.4 x 10⁻⁴ J.