In the fig. shown CP represents the plane wave front and AO and BP, the corresponding two rays. Find the condition on θ for constructive interference at P between the ray BP and reflected ray OP
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
$PN = d, P O=d \sec \theta$
$CO = PO \cos 2 \theta=d \sec \theta \cos 2 \theta$
Path difference = CO + PO = $d \sec \theta+d \sec \theta \cos 2 \theta$
$=d \sec \theta(1+\cos 2 \theta)=\frac{d}{\cos \theta} \times 2 \cos ^2 \theta=2 d \cos \theta$
The ray AO is incident on denser medium, so reflected ray suffers a phase difference of $\pi$ or a path differences of $\frac{\lambda}{2}$
∴ Effective path difference $\Delta=2 d \cos \theta+\frac{\lambda}{2}$
For constructive interference path difference $\Delta=n \lambda$.
$\Rightarrow 2 d \cos \theta+\frac{\lambda}{2}=n \lambda$
or $2 d \cos \theta=(2 n-1) \frac{\lambda}{2}$