Single correct option
A Young's double-slit apparatus is completely immersed in a liquid of refractive index . The source emits light of vacuum wavelength . A thin transparent sheet of refractive index and thickness is placed over one slit, perpendicular to the rays. Relative to the fringe pattern before the sheet was inserted, the central bright fringe moves by
- A. fringe widths towards the covered slit
- B. fringe widths away from the covered slit
- C. fringe widths towards the covered slit
- D. fringe widths towards the covered slit
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Answer: (D) fringe widths towards the covered slit
Only the optical path difference matters. The sheet replaces a thickness of liquid, so the extra optical path in the covered arm is . A shift of one fringe corresponds to a path difference of one vacuum wavelength, because the condition for brightness is in terms of optical path. The number of fringes shifted is . Since the covered path becomes longer, the point of zero net path difference lies on the side of the covered slit, so the pattern moves towards it. Ignoring the liquid gives , and using gives ; both are wrong.
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