Wave Optics NEET MCQ

1. The phenomenon in which waves of the same frequency and amplitude combine to enhance or cancel each other out is known as:

a) Polarization
b) Diffraction
c) Reflection
d) Interference

Answer:

d) Interference

Explanation:

Interference arises due to the superposition of two or more coherent waves.

2. Thomas Young's experiment which established the wave nature of light is:

a) Photoelectric effect
b) Double-slit experiment
c) Polarization experiment
d) Diffraction grating

Answer:

b) Double-slit experiment

Explanation:

Young's double-slit experiment demonstrated the interference pattern of light, supporting its wave nature.

3. For constructive interference in a thin film, the path difference should be:

a) nλ
b) (n+1/2)λ
c) (n-1/2)λ
d) n^2λ, where n is an integer.

Answer:

a) nλ

Explanation:

Constructive interference occurs when the path difference is a whole number multiple of the wavelength (λ).

4. The phenomenon in which light spreads out as it passes through an aperture or around an obstacle is:

a) Polarization
b) Interference
c) Diffraction
d) Reflection

Answer:

c) Diffraction

Explanation:

Diffraction involves the bending and spreading of light waves around obstacles or through narrow openings.

5. When light waves undergo a change in their plane of vibration, it is termed as:

a) Diffraction
b) Dispersion
c) Polarization
d) Interference

Answer:

c) Polarization

Explanation:

Polarization refers to the orientation of oscillations in light waves to a specific direction.

6. In a diffraction pattern, the central maximum is:

a) Dark
b) The brightest and widest
c) Narrower than subsequent fringes
d) Of equal width as other fringes

Answer:

b) The brightest and widest

Explanation:

The central maximum in a diffraction pattern is the brightest and has a greater width than other fringes.

7. The phenomenon of light waves bending around the corners of an obstacle is:

a) Refraction
b) Reflection
c) Diffraction
d) Interference

Answer:

c) Diffraction

Explanation:

Diffraction leads to the bending of waves around obstacles and their spreading after passing through apertures.

8. The condition for maxima in the interference pattern of light is:

a) nλ
b) (n+1/2)λ
c) (n-1/2)λ
d) 2nλ

Answer:

a) nλ

Explanation:

For maxima or constructive interference, the path difference should be a whole number multiple of the wavelength.

9. In a single-slit diffraction experiment, the width of the slit affects:

a) The number of fringes
b) The color of light
c) The width of the central maximum
d) The intensity of light

Answer:

c) The width of the central maximum

Explanation:

As the width of the slit decreases, the width of the central maximum increases.

10. The phenomenon of interference is evidence for:

a) Particle nature of light
b) Dual nature of light
c) Wave nature of light
d) Quantized nature of light

Answer:

c) Wave nature of light

Explanation:

Interference arises from the superposition of waves, supporting the wave nature of light.

11. A plane of light in which vibrations occur in a single plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation is:

a) Diffracted light
b) Unpolarized light
c) Polarized light
d) Reflected light

Answer:

c) Polarized light

Explanation:

Polarized light consists of waves with vibrations in a single plane.

12. The phenomenon which cannot be explained using ray optics but can be explained using wave optics is:

a) Reflection
b) Refraction
c) Interference
d) Magnification

Answer:

c) Interference

Explanation:

Interference arises from the wave nature of light, and ray optics fails to provide an explanation for it.

13. A source of light which emits waves of coherent nature is:

a) Sun
b) Incandescent bulb
c) Sodium lamp
d) Neon sign

Answer:

c) Sodium lamp

Explanation:

Sodium lamps emit light of a single wavelength, leading to coherence.

14. The phenomenon of light interacting with electrons of a material, imparting its energy to them is:

a) Photoelectric effect
b) Interference
c) Diffraction
d) Polarization

Answer:

a) Photoelectric effect

Explanation:

In the photoelectric effect, light photons interact with material electrons, providing them with energy.

15. Brewster's angle is the angle of incidence for which:

a) Reflected and refracted rays are perpendicular
b) Reflected ray is completely polarized
c) Refraction does not occur
d) No reflection takes place

Answer:

b) Reflected ray is completely polarized

Explanation:

At Brewster's angle, the reflected light is completely polarized.

16. The change in the speed of light as it enters a different medium leads to:

a) Reflection
b) Polarization
c) Diffraction
d) Refraction

Answer:

d) Refraction

Explanation:

Refraction occurs due to the change in speed (and direction) of light as it moves from one medium to another.

17. The type of lens used to produce a divergent beam of light from a collimated beam is:

a) Convex lens
b) Concave lens
c) Cylindrical lens
d) Fresnel lens

Answer:

b) Concave lens

Explanation:

A concave lens diverges parallel rays of light.

18. In Young's double-slit experiment, increasing the distance between the slits will:

a) Increase the fringe width
b) Decrease the fringe width
c) Have no effect on fringe width
d) Change the color of fringes

Answer:

b) Decrease the fringe width

Explanation:

The fringe width is inversely proportional to the slit separation in Young's experiment.

19. The colors seen in soap bubbles are due to:

a) Refraction of light
b) Dispersion of light
c) Interference of light
d) Polarization of light

Answer:

c) Interference of light

Explanation:

Thin film interference gives rise to the colorful patterns seen in soap bubbles.

20. Huygens' principle is fundamental to the understanding of:

a) The particle nature of light
b) Quantum nature of light
c) Wave nature of light
d) Dual nature of light

Answer:

c) Wave nature of light

Explanation:

Huygens' principle, which describes every point on a wavefront as a source of secondary wavelets, is central to wave optics.

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