In a thin film interference, which of the following conditions leads to destructive interference?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
In a thin film interference, which of the following conditions leads to destructive interference?
2t = (m + 1/2)λ
2t = mλ
t = mλ/2
t = (m + 1/2)λ/2
Destructive interference in thin films occurs when the effective path difference is an odd multiple of half the wavelength, given by 2t = (m + 1/2)λ.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: In a thin film interference, which of the following conditions leads to destructive interference?
Solution: Destructive interference in thin films occurs when the effective path difference is an odd multiple of half the wavelength, given by 2t = (m + 1/2)λ.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand that thin film interference happens when light waves reflect off the top and bottom surfaces of a thin film.
Step 2: Know that when two light waves meet, they can either add together (constructive interference) or cancel each other out (destructive interference).
Step 3: For destructive interference to occur, the waves must be out of phase by half a wavelength.
Step 4: The condition for destructive interference in a thin film is when the effective path difference is an odd multiple of half the wavelength.
Step 5: This can be expressed mathematically as 2t = (m + 1/2)λ, where 't' is the thickness of the film, 'm' is an integer (0, 1, 2, ...), and 'λ' is the wavelength of light.
