Interference and Diffraction: Interactive Learning Quizzes for Year 13 Physics

Question 1

How does increasing the slit separation affect the fringe spacing in a double-slit experiment?

Accepted Answer

Increase in fringe spacing

Answer

Decrease in fringe spacing

Answer

Decrease in fringe intensity

Answer

Increase in fringe intensity

Question 2

What is the path difference between two waves that experience destructive interference?

Accepted Answer

(n - 1/2)λ

Answer

(n + 1/2)λ

Answer

nλ

Answer

(n + 1)λ

Question 3

What is the purpose of using a grating in a diffraction experiment?

Accepted Answer

Create multiple slits

Answer

Increase the intensity of the diffracted beams

Answer

Filter out unwanted wavelengths

Answer

Focus the diffracted beams

Question 4

What distinguishes coherent and incoherent sources in the context of interference experiments?

Accepted Answer

Coherent sources maintain a constant phase relationship.

Answer

Coherent sources have the same wavelength.

Answer

Coherent sources produce brighter interference patterns.

Answer

Coherent sources are more prevalent in nature.

Question 5

Which of the following factors does NOT affect the width of bright fringes in an interference pattern?

Accepted Answer

Amplitude of the light waves

Answer

Wavelength of the light

Answer

Distance between the slits or obstacles

Answer

Distance between the slits or obstacles and the screen

Question 6

The ability of a laser to produce a concentrated beam of light is due to:

Accepted Answer

Constructive interference of light waves

Answer

Destructive interference of light waves

Answer

Reflection of light waves

Answer

Refraction of light waves

Question 7

How does increasing the wavelength of light affect the width of the diffraction pattern?

Accepted Answer

The width of the diffraction pattern increases.

Answer

The width of the diffraction pattern decreases.

Answer

The width of the diffraction pattern remains unchanged.

Answer

The effect of the wavelength on the width of the diffraction pattern is unpredictable.

Question 8

Which of the following factors does NOT influence the diffraction pattern of light?

Accepted Answer

Intensity of light

Answer

Wavelength of light

Answer

Width of the slit

Answer

Distance between the slit and the screen

Question 9

What is the purpose of using a single slit in the double-slit experiment?

Accepted Answer

To create a coherent source of light.

Answer

To reduce the intensity of the light.

Answer

To increase the width of the diffraction pattern.

Answer

To make the experiment easier to set up.

Question 10

What is the minimum path difference required for destructive interference in waves?

Accepted Answer

Half a wavelength

Answer

One wavelength

Answer

Two wavelengths

Answer

Three wavelengths

Question 11

Distinguish between interference and diffraction in waves.

Accepted Answer

Interference occurs when two or more waves combine at a point, while diffraction occurs when a wave passes through an aperture.

Answer

Diffraction occurs when two or more waves combine at a point, while interference occurs when a wave passes through an aperture.

Answer

Interference and diffraction are the same phenomenon.

Answer

Interference occurs when two or more waves have the same frequency, while diffraction occurs when two or more waves have different frequencies.

Question 12

Which of the following conditions is essential for interference to occur?

Accepted Answer

The waves must have the same wavelength and be coherent.

Answer

The waves must be in phase.

Answer

The waves must have the same amplitude.

Answer

The waves must be polarized in the same direction.

Question 13

What type of interference results in a wave with a larger amplitude?

Accepted Answer

Constructive interference

Answer

Total interference

Answer

Partial interference

Answer

Destructive interference

Question 14

Which factor does NOT affect the diffraction pattern of a wave?

Accepted Answer

The intensity of the wave

Answer

The distance between the slit and the screen

Answer

The wavelength of the wave

Answer

The width of the slit

Question 15

Describe the key difference between interference and diffraction.

Accepted Answer

Interference is the superposition of waves from a coherent source, while diffraction is the bending of waves around an obstacle.

Answer

Interference is the bending of waves around an obstacle, while diffraction is the superposition of waves from an incoherent source.

Question 16

What is the condition for constructive interference in terms of the path difference between two waves?

Accepted Answer

An integral multiple of the wavelength

Answer

Half of the wavelength

Answer

A quarter of the wavelength

Question 17

Which characteristic is NOT associated with a diffraction grating?

Accepted Answer

It contains a small number of widely spaced slits

Answer

It can be used to determine the wavelength of light

Answer

It produces a series of bright and dark bands

Answer

It is used in spectroscopy

Question 18

What is the significance of the Rayleigh criterion in the field of diffraction?

Accepted Answer

It sets the limit for resolving two closely spaced objects using a lens.

Answer

It determines the wavelength of light that can be used in a diffraction grating

Answer

It determines the intensity of the diffracted light

Question 19

Coherent waves of equal amplitude and wavelength are superimposed. Under which condition will they produce a wave with maximum amplitude?

Accepted Answer

When the waves are in phase.

Answer

When the waves have different wavelengths.

Answer

When the waves have different amplitudes.

Answer

When the waves are out of phase.

Question 20

Interference occurs when:

Accepted Answer

Two or more coherent waves overlap.

Answer

Two or more incoherent waves overlap.

Answer

Two or more waves of different wavelengths overlap.

Answer

Two or more waves of different frequencies overlap.

Question 21

In a diffraction grating, the number of lines per unit length determines the:

Accepted Answer

Resolution of the grating.

Answer

Diffraction angle.

Answer

Intensity of the diffracted beams.

Answer

Wavelength of the diffracted beams.

Question 22

In a diffraction experiment, to increase the spacing between the bright fringes, one should:

Accepted Answer

Increase the wavelength of the light.

Answer

Increase the number of slits.

Answer

Decrease the number of slits.

Answer

Decrease the wavelength of the light.

Question 23

The superposition of two coherent waves of the same frequency and amplitude can result in:

Accepted Answer

Constructive or destructive interference.

Answer

Only reflection.

Answer

Only destructive interference.

Answer

Only constructive interference.