IIT-JAM-PH SERIES
Physics

Wave Optics

28 previous year questions.

Volume: 28 Ques
Yield: High

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Chapter Questions
28 MCQs

01
PYQ 2018
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-

In a grating with grating constant , where is the slit width and is the separation between the slits, the diffraction pattern has the fourth order missing. The value of is ........... (Specify your answer as an integer.)

02
PYQ 2018
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
Two beams of visible light (400–700 nm) interfere at a point. The optical path difference is 5000 nm. Which wavelength interferes constructively?
1
416.67 nm
2
555.55 nm
3
625 nm
4
666.66 nm
03
PYQ 2020
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
The intensity of the primary maximum in a two-slit interference pattern is given by , and the intensity of the primary maximum in a three-slit interference pattern is given by . Assuming the far-field approximation, same slit parameters, and same incident light intensity in both cases, and are related as:
1

2

3

4

04
PYQ 2021
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-

Consider a hemispherical glass lens (refractive index is 1.5) having radius of curvature for the curved surface. An incoming ray, parallel to the optical axis, is incident on the curved surface at a height above the optical axis, as shown in the figure. The distance (from the flat surface of the lens) at which the ray crosses the optical axis is ............ cm (Round off to two decimal places).

05
PYQ 2021
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-

A laser beam shines along a block of transparent material of length 2.5 m. Part of the beam goes to the detector while the other part travels through the block and then hits the detector . The time delay between the arrivals of the two light beams is inferred to be 6.25 ns. The speed of light . The refractive index of the block is ............ (Round off to two decimal places).

06
PYQ 2021
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-

The figure shows the cross-section of a hollow cylindrical tank, 2.2 m in diameter, which is half filled with water (refractive index of 1.33). The space above the water is filled with a gas of unknown refractive index. A small laser moves along the bottom surface and aims a light beam towards the center (see figure). When the laser moves a distance of or beyond from the lowest point in the water, no light enters the gas. Identify the correct statement(s). (Speed of light = )

1
The refractive index of the gas is 1.05
2
The time taken for the light beam to travel from the laser to the rim of the tank when is
3
The time taken for the light beam to travel from the laser to the rim of the tank when is
4
The critical angle for the water–gas interface is
07
PYQ 2021
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-

In the figure below, point A is the object and point B is the image formed by the lens. Let and denote the optical path lengths of the three rays 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Identify the correct statement.

1

2

3

4

08
PYQ 2022
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
The dispersion relation for certain type of waves is given by , where k is the wave vector and a is a constant. Which one of the following sketches represents vg, the group velocity?
1
The dispersion relation for certain type of waves is given
2
The dispersion relation for certain type of waves is given
3
The dispersion relation for certain type of waves is given
4
The dispersion relation for certain type of waves is given
09
PYQ 2022
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
In the Compton scattering of electrons, by photons incident with wavelength Ξ»,
1
is independent of
2
increases with decreasing Ξ»
3
there is no change in photon's wavelength for all angles of deflection of the photon
4
increases with increasing angle of deflection of the photon
10
PYQ 2022
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
A linearly polarized light beam travels from origin to point A (1,0,0). At the point A, the light is reflected by a mirror towards point B (1, -1,0). A second mirror located at point B then reflects the light towards point C (1,-1,1). Let n(x, y, z) represent the direction of polarization of light at (x, y, z).
1
If (0, 0, 0) = , then (1, -1, 1) =
2
If (0, 0, 0) = , then (1, -1, 1) =
3
If (0, 0, 0) = , then (1, -1, 1) =
4
If (0, 0, 0) = , then (1, -1, 1) =
11
PYQ 2022
hard
physics ID: iit-jam-
A normal human eye can distinguish two objects separated by 0.35 m when viewed from a distance of 1.0 km. The angular resolution of eye is _________ seconds (Round off to the nearest integer).
12
PYQ 2022
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
Which one of the following figures correctly depicts the intensity distribution for Fraunhofer diffraction due to a single slit? Here, x denotes the distance from the centre of the central fringe and I denotes the intensity.
1
figures correctly depicts the intensity distribution for Fraunhofer diffraction due to a single slit
2
figures correctly depicts the intensity distribution for Fraunhofer diffraction due to a single slit
3
figures correctly depicts the intensity distribution for Fraunhofer diffraction due to a single slit
4
figures correctly depicts the intensity distribution for Fraunhofer diffraction due to a single slit
13
PYQ 2023
easy
physics ID: iit-jam-
An oil film in air of thickness 255 nm is illuminated by white light at normal incidence. As a consequence of interference, which colour will be predominantly visible in the reflected light ?
Given the refractive index of oil = 1.47
1
Red (~ 650 nm)
2

Blue (~ 450 nm)

3
Green (~ 500 nm)
4
Yellow (~560 nm)
14
PYQ 2023
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
In a X-Ray tube operating at 20 kV, the ratio of the de-Broglie wavelength of the incident electrons to the shortest wavelength of the generated X-rays is ________ (rounded off to two decimal places).
Given: e/m ratio for an electron = 1.76Γ—1011 Ckg-1 and the speed of light in vacuum is 3Γ—108 ms -1
15
PYQ 2023
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
A point source emitting photons of 2 eV energy and 1 W of power is kept at a distance of 1m from a small piece of a photoelectric material of area 10-4 m2 . If the efficiency of generation of photoelectrons is 10%, then the number of photoelectrons generated are 𝑓×1012 per second. The value of 𝑓 is __________ (rounded off to two decimal places).
Given: 1eV = 1.6 Γ— 10βˆ’19 J
photoelectrons
16
PYQ 2023
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
The spectral energy density uT(Ξ») vs wavelength (Ξ») curve of a black body shows a peak at Ξ» = Ξ»max. If the temperature of the black body is doubled, then
1
the maximum of uT(Ξ») shifts to Ξ»max/2
2
the maximum of uT(Ξ») shifts to 2Ξ»max
3
the area under the curve becomes 16 times the original area
4
the area under the curve becomes 8 times the original area
17
PYQ 2023
hard
physics ID: iit-jam-
A rotating disc is held in front of a plane mirror in two different orientations which are (i) angular momentum parallel to the mirror and (ii) angular momentum perpendicular to the mirror. Which of the following schematic figures correctly describes the angular momentum (solid arrow) and its mirror image (shown by dashed arrows) in the two orientations ?
1
Mirror Image 1
2
Mirror Image 2
3
Mirror Image 3
4
Mirror Image 4
18
PYQ 2023
hard
physics ID: iit-jam-
A linearly polarized light of wavelength 590 nm is incident normally on the surface of a 20 ΞΌm thick quartz film. The plane of polarization makes an angle 30Β° with the optic axis. Refractive indices of ordinary and extraordinary waves differ by 0.0091, resulting in a phase difference of fΟ€ between them after transmission. The value of f (rounded off to two decimal places) and the state of polarization of the transmitted light is
1
0.62 and linear
2
0.62 and elliptical
3
-0.38 and elliptical
4
0.5 and circular
19
PYQ 2023
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
The phase velocity vp of transverse waves on a one-dimensional crystal of atomic separation d is related to the wavevector k as

The group velocity of these waves is
1
2
3
4
20
PYQ 2023
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
A wave travelling along the x-axis with y representing its displacement is described by (𝑣 is the speed of the wave)
1
2
3
4
21
PYQ 2023
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
An objective lens with half angular aperture 𝛼 is illuminated with light of wavelength πœ†. The refractive index of the medium between the sample and the objective is 𝑛. The lateral resolving power of the optical system can be increased by
half angular aperture
1
decreasing both πœ† and Ξ±
2
decreasing πœ† and increasing Ξ±
3
increasing both 𝛼 and n
4
ecreasing πœ† and increasing n
22
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
A collimated light beam of intensity 𝐼0 is incident normally on an air-dielectric (refractive index 2.0) interface. The intensity of the reflected light is _______𝐼0. (Rounded off to two decimal places)
23
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
Consider two different Compton scattering experiments, in which X-rays and Ξ³ rays of wavelength (Ξ») 1.024Γ… and 0.049Γ…, respectively, are scattered from stationary free electrons. The scattered wavelength (Ξ»β€²) is measured as a function of the scattering angle (ΞΈ). If Compton shift is π›₯Ξ»=Ξ»β€²βˆ’Ξ», then which of the following statement(s) is/are true:
( h = 6.63 x10-34J.s, me = 9.11x10-31 kg, c = 3 x 108m/s )
1
For Ξ³-rays, Ξ»β€² max β‰ˆ 0.098Γ…
2
For X-rays, (Δλ)max is observed at ΞΈ= 180Β°
3
For X-rays, (Δλ)max β‰ˆ 1.049Γ…
4
For Ξ³-rays, at ΞΈ= 90Β° , Ξ»β€² β‰ˆ0.049Γ…
24
PYQ 2024
hard
physics ID: iit-jam-
Suppose that there is a dispersive medium whose refractive index depends on the wavelength as given by . The value of πœ† at which the group and phase velocities would be the same, is:
1
2
3
4
25
PYQ 2024
hard
physics ID: iit-jam-
Consider a thick biconvex lens (thickness t=4cm and refractive index n=1.5) whose magnitudes of the radii of curvature R1 and R2, of the first and second surfaces are 30cm and 20cm, respectively. Surface 2 is silvered to act as a mirror. A point object is placed at point A on the axis (OA= 60cm) as shown in the figure. If its image is formed at point Q, the distance d between O and Q is_____ cm. (Rounded off to two decimal places)
a thick biconvex lens
26
PYQ 2024
easy
physics ID: iit-jam-
For a simple cubic crystal, the smallest inter-planar spacing d that can be determined from its second order of diffraction using monochromatic X-rays of wavelength 1.32Γ… is _________Γ…. (Round off to two decimal places)
27
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
Linearly polarized light (free space wavelength πœ†0= 600nm) is incident normally on a retarding plate (𝑛𝑒-π‘›π‘œ = 0.05 at πœ†0= 600nm). The emergent light is observed to be linearly polarized, irrespective of the angle between the direction of polarization and the optic axis of the plate. The minimum thickness (in Β΅m) of the plate is:
1
6
2
3
3
2
4
1
28
PYQ 2024
medium
physics ID: iit-jam-
The ultraviolet catastrophe in the classical (Rayleigh-Jeans) theory of cavity radiation is attributed to the assumption that
1
the standing waves of all allowed frequencies in the cavity have the same average energy
2
the density of the standing waves in the cavity is independent of the shape and size of the cavity
3
the allowed frequencies of the standing waves inside the cavity have no upper limit
4
the number of allowed frequencies for the standing waves in a frequency range v to (v + dv) is proportional to v2