Skip to content
Choose the correct option · Q4

Q.In Young's double slit experiment, the two coherent sources have different intensities. If the ratio of maximum intensity to the minimum intensity in the interference pattern produced is 25:1. What was the ratio of intensities of the two sources? (A) 5:1
(B) 25:1
(C) 3:2
(D) 9:4

Maharashtra MsbshseTextbookMCQImportance★★★★★
29% · 24/83 Questions
🔒 Locked · start free trial →

You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

Let the two coherent sources have amplitudes a1a_1 and a2a_2 (with a1>a2a_1>a_2, without loss of generality), so Imax=(a1+a2)2I_{max}=(a_1+a_2)^2 and Imin=(a1−a2)2I_{min}=(a_1-a_2)^2 (Section 7.8.2's result generalised to unequal amplitudes: bright-fringe intensity is proportional to the SUM of amplitudes squared, dark-fringe intensity to their DIFFERENCE squared). Given Imax/Imin=25I_{max}/I_{min}=25, taking the square root of both sides: a1+a2a1−a2=25=5\dfrac{a_1+a_2}{a_1-a_2}=\sqrt{25}=5. Cross-multiplying: a1+a2=5a1−5a2a_1+a_2=5a_1-5a_2, so 6a2=4a16a_2=4a_1, giving $\dfrac{a_1}{a_2}= …

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.