How Much You Know About Wave Optics? Trivia Quiz
Wave optics is a division of optics that studies interference, diffraction, polarization, and other phenomena for which the approximation of geometric optics is not valid. This usage tends not to include quantum noise in optical communication, studied in the sub-branch of coherence theory. Confusing? This quiz might clear up your questions.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Only the wave theory of light offers an explanation for the ability of light to exhibit
- A.
Interference
- B.
Reflection
- C.
Photoelectric emission
- D.
Intensity of radiation
Correct Answer
A. InterferenceExplanation
The wave theory of light explains interference, which is the phenomenon where two or more waves combine to form a resultant wave. Interference occurs when waves overlap and either reinforce each other (constructive interference) or cancel each other out (destructive interference). This phenomenon can be observed in various situations, such as the interference patterns formed by light passing through a double slit or the colors seen in soap bubbles. The other options listed, reflection, photoelectric emission, and intensity of radiation, do not directly involve the concept of interference and are better explained by other theories or principles.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Which two characteristics of light can best be explained by the wave theory of light?
- A.
Relection and refraction
- B.
Reflection and interference
- C.
Refraction and diffraction
- D.
Interference and diffraction
Correct Answer
D. Interference and diffractionExplanation
The wave theory of light explains interference and diffraction. Interference occurs when two or more waves combine and either reinforce or cancel each other out. This phenomenon can be observed when light waves pass through narrow slits or when they reflect off a thin film. Diffraction refers to the bending of waves around obstacles or through narrow openings. When light waves encounter an obstacle or a small opening, they spread out and create a pattern of light and dark regions. Both interference and diffraction can be explained by the wave nature of light, where light is considered as a wave that can exhibit these behaviors.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which phenomenon can be observed for transverse waves only?
- A.
Reflection
- B.
Diffraction
- C.
Polarization
- D.
Refraction
Correct Answer
C. PolarizationExplanation
Polarization is a phenomenon that can be observed for transverse waves only. Transverse waves are characterized by oscillations perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Polarization refers to the orientation of these oscillations. In transverse waves, the oscillations can be polarized in a specific direction, such as vertically or horizontally. This phenomenon does not occur in longitudinal waves, where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of wave propagation. Therefore, polarization is unique to transverse waves.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Sources that produce waves with a constant phase relation are said to be
- A.
Polarized
- B.
Diffused
- C.
Refracted
- D.
Coherent
Correct Answer
D. CoherentExplanation
Sources that produce waves with a constant phase relation are said to be coherent. Coherence refers to the property of waves where they maintain a fixed phase relationship over time. This means that the crests and troughs of the waves align consistently, resulting in a stable interference pattern. In contrast, polarized waves have a specific orientation of their oscillations, diffused waves have random phase relationships, and refracted waves change direction when passing through a medium. Therefore, the correct term that describes waves with a constant phase relation is coherent.Rate this question:
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- 5.
If all parts of a light beam have a constant phase relationship, with the same wavelength and frequency, the light beam is
- A.
Monochromatic and coherent
- B.
Mono and incoherent
- C.
Polychromatic and coherent
- D.
Poly and incoherent
Correct Answer
A. Monochromatic and coherentExplanation
If all parts of a light beam have a constant phase relationship, with the same wavelength and frequency, it means that the light beam consists of only one color or wavelength (monochromatic) and the waves are in sync with each other (coherent). This is because the constant phase relationship indicates that all the waves are in step with each other, resulting in constructive interference and a well-defined pattern. Therefore, the correct answer is "monochromatic and coherent".Rate this question:
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- 6.
The diffraction pattern produced by a double-slit will show greatest separation of maxima when the color of the light source is
- A.
Red
- B.
Orange
- C.
Blue
- D.
Green
Correct Answer
A. RedExplanation
The diffraction pattern produced by a double-slit will show the greatest separation of maxima when the color of the light source is red. This is because red light has the longest wavelength among the given options, and according to the equation for diffraction, the separation of maxima is directly proportional to the wavelength of the light. Therefore, the longer the wavelength (such as red light), the greater the separation of maxima in the diffraction pattern.Rate this question:
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- 7.
If the wavelength of the light is decreased, the width of the central maximum in the diffraction pattern will
- A.
Decrease
- B.
Increase
- C.
Remain the same
Correct Answer
A. DecreaseExplanation
When the wavelength of light is decreased, the central maximum in the diffraction pattern will decrease in width. This is because the width of the central maximum is inversely proportional to the wavelength of light. As the wavelength decreases, the diffraction effects become more pronounced, causing the central maximum to become narrower. Therefore, the correct answer is decrease.Rate this question:
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- 8.
A wave is diffracted as it passes through an opening in a barrier. The amount of diffraction that the wave undergoes depends on both the
- A.
Amplitude and frequency of the incident wave
- B.
Wavelength and speed of the incident wave
- C.
Wavelength of the incident wave and size of the opening
- D.
Amplitude of the incicdent wave and the size of the opening
Correct Answer
C. Wavelength of the incident wave and size of the openingExplanation
The correct answer is "wavelength of the incident wave and size of the opening". Diffraction is the bending or spreading of waves as they pass through an opening or around an obstacle. The amount of diffraction that occurs depends on the wavelength of the incident wave, as shorter wavelengths experience less diffraction than longer wavelengths. Additionally, the size of the opening also affects the amount of diffraction, with smaller openings causing more significant diffraction. Therefore, both the wavelength of the incident wave and the size of the opening play a role in determining the amount of diffraction that occurs.Rate this question:
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- 9.
If the screen is moved closer to the slits, the distance between the central maximum and the first maximum will
- A.
Decrease
- B.
Increase
- C.
Remain the same
Correct Answer
A. DecreaseExplanation
When the screen is moved closer to the slits, the distance between the central maximum and the first maximum will decrease. This is because moving the screen closer to the slits increases the angle at which the light waves from the slits reach the screen. As the angle increases, the distance between the central maximum and the first maximum decreases, resulting in a smaller distance between them.Rate this question:
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- 10.
If the distance between the slits is decreased, the distance between the central max and the first max will
- A.
Decrease
- B.
Increase
- C.
Remain the same
Correct Answer
B. IncreaseExplanation
When the distance between the slits is decreased, it means that the slits are closer together. This results in a wider diffraction pattern. The central maximum is formed by the constructive interference of the waves from both slits. As the slits get closer, the angle between the waves from the slits increases, causing the central maximum to shift towards the first maximum. Therefore, the distance between the central maximum and the first maximum increases.Rate this question:
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- 11.
The photon model of light is more appropriate than the wave model in explaining.
- A.
Interference
- B.
Refraction
- C.
Polarization
- D.
Photoelectric emission
Correct Answer
D. Photoelectric emissionExplanation
The photon model of light is more appropriate than the wave model in explaining photoelectric emission. This is because the photoelectric effect involves the emission of electrons when light interacts with matter at the atomic level. The wave model of light cannot explain why the emission occurs instantaneously and why there is a minimum threshold frequency for the emission to happen. However, the photon model, which considers light as discrete particles or photons, can explain these phenomena by suggesting that the energy of the photons is transferred to electrons, causing them to be emitted.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Light demonstrates the characteristics of
- A.
Particles only
- B.
Waves only
- C.
Both particles and waves
- D.
Neither
Correct Answer
C. Both particles and wavesExplanation
Light demonstrates the characteristics of both particles and waves. This is known as the wave-particle duality of light. On one hand, light can behave like a wave, exhibiting properties such as interference and diffraction. On the other hand, light can also behave like a particle, as evidenced by the photoelectric effect and the emission of discrete packets of energy called photons. This duality is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics and is supported by various experiments and observations.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Interference and diffraction can be explained by
- A.
The wave theory only
- B.
The particle theory only
- C.
Neither
- D.
Both
Correct Answer
A. The wave theory onlyExplanation
Interference and diffraction phenomena can be explained by the wave theory only. This is because interference occurs when two or more waves combine to form a resultant wave, which can only be described by the wave nature of light. Diffraction, on the other hand, is the bending or spreading of waves around obstacles or through small openings, which can also only be explained by the wave nature of light. The particle theory cannot account for these phenomena as it does not consider the wave-like properties of light.Rate this question:
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- 14.
The color of visible light is determined by its
- A.
Frequency
- B.
Amplitude
- C.
Intensity
- D.
Speed
Correct Answer
A. FrequencyExplanation
The color of visible light is determined by its frequency. Frequency refers to the number of complete cycles or oscillations that a wave completes in one second. Different frequencies of light correspond to different colors. For example, light with a higher frequency appears blue or violet, while light with a lower frequency appears red or orange. Therefore, the frequency of visible light is what determines its color.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Increasing the amplitude of an electromagnetic radiation increases its
- A.
Frequency
- B.
Speed
- C.
Intensity
- D.
Period
Correct Answer
C. IntensityExplanation
Increasing the amplitude of an electromagnetic radiation refers to increasing the maximum displacement of the wave from its equilibrium position. This does not affect the frequency, speed, or period of the wave, as those properties are determined by the source of the radiation. However, increasing the amplitude does increase the intensity of the radiation, which is the power per unit area carried by the wave. Therefore, the correct answer is intensity.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Compared to the period of red light, the period of violet light is
- A.
Less
- B.
Greater
- C.
Same
Correct Answer
A. LessExplanation
Violet light has a shorter wavelength and higher frequency compared to red light. The period of a wave is the time it takes for one complete cycle, and it is inversely proportional to the frequency. Since violet light has a higher frequency than red light, its period is shorter. Therefore, the correct answer is "less".Rate this question:
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- 17.
Compared to the period of a wave of red light, the period of a wave of blue light is
- A.
Less
- B.
Greater
- C.
Same
Correct Answer
A. LessExplanation
Blue light has a shorter wavelength than red light, which means it has a higher frequency. The period of a wave is the time it takes for one complete cycle to occur. Since blue light has a higher frequency, it completes more cycles in the same amount of time compared to red light. Therefore, the period of a wave of blue light is less than the period of a wave of red light.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Electrons oscillating with a frequency of 2.0X10 10 hertz produce electromagnetic waves. These waves would be classified as
- A.
Infrared
- B.
Visible
- C.
Microwave
- D.
X-ray
Correct Answer
C. MicrowaveExplanation
Electromagnetic waves with a frequency of 2.0X10^10 hertz fall within the microwave range. Microwaves have longer wavelengths and lower frequencies compared to visible light, making them suitable for heating and cooking purposes. In this case, the given frequency falls within the microwave range, indicating that the electromagnetic waves produced by the oscillating electrons would be classified as microwaves.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Which pair of terms best describes light waves traveling from the Sun to Earth?
- A.
Electromagnetic and transverse
- B.
Electromagnetic and longitudinal
- C.
Mechanical and transverse
- D.
Mechanical and longitudinal
Correct Answer
A. Electromagnetic and transverseExplanation
Light waves are a form of electromagnetic waves, as they consist of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. These waves travel in a transverse manner, meaning that the oscillations occur perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Therefore, the pair of terms "electromagnetic and transverse" best describes light waves traveling from the Sun to Earth.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 22, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jul 04, 2012Quiz Created by
Meenujoshi87
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