NEET Wave Optics Important Questions

NEET Wave Optics Important Questions are given in this study in the form of a free pdf. The NEET aspirants can refer to this study guide, which will help them know about the important questions and topics from the chapter ‘Wave Optics’ of Physics. 

Also, you can check the chapter-wise weightage of the Physics syllabus where you will get to know which chapters to focus on priorly and which chapters can be studied later, and thus fix the priority accordingly.

NEET Important Questions - Wave Optics (Salient Features) 

Following are some of the salient features of the free pdf which will help the students to study the free pdf of Important questions from the chapter Optic Waves:

• The students who are targeting the NEET exam should prepare for all the important chapters of the NEET syllabus including (the chapter  ‘Wave Optics’) to secure the highest marks in NEET 2025. 

• The important questions for NEET 2025 designed by Vedantu are one of the most reliable study materials as it covers all the important chapters which are in the syllabus. The same is being done with the important chapter of Physics - Wave Optics.

• Also, these important questions are prepared by analysing the previous years' question papers & considering the weightage of each chapter in the syllabus.

• These important questions are prepared by our academic experts based on the syllabus guidelines prescribed by MCI.

Find all the NEET Physics important questions from the chapter  Wave Optics with solutions to perform better in the exam here. Download the NEET physics -  Wave Optics important questions PDF for free to score better.

NEET Physics Important Questions - Chapter Pages

Topics of Wave Optics:

1. Wavefront and Huygens Principle:

Wavefronts are surfaces that connect in-phase points on a wave, aiding our understanding of wave propagation. Huygens' principle complements this by suggesting that each point on a wavefront acts as a secondary source, emitting spherical wavelets that combine to form a new wavefront.

2. Reflection and Refraction of a Plane Wave on a Plane Surface Using Wavefront:

When wavefronts encounter reflecting or refracting surfaces, Huygen's principle plays a pivotal role. It asserts that each point on a wavefront becomes a secondary source, emitting spherical wavelets. These wavelets combine to form a new wavefront after reflection or refraction. This process is crucial for predicting how light behaves at interfaces, providing vital insights into the phenomena of reflection and refraction.

3. Proof of Laws of Reflection and Refraction Using Huygens Principle:

In the context of reflection, it explains that each point on an incident wavefront acts as a secondary source, emitting spherical wavelets that collectively form the reflected wavefront. When applied to refraction, it clarifies how wavefronts bend when entering a different medium. By analyzing the specific geometry of these wavelets, we can deduce the laws of reflection and refraction. 

4. Interference:

Interference, a captivating phenomenon, occurs when waves overlap, resulting in constructive and destructive interference. Constructive interference aligns waves in phase, creating bright fringes with maximum intensity. Conversely, destructive interference arises when waves are out of phase, leading to dark fringes of minimum intensity. Interference is crucial in understanding light's behavior, shedding light on patterns observed in double-slit experiments and thin film interference.

5. Young’s Double Hole Experiment and Expression for Fringe Width:

Young's double-slit experiment showcases wave interference with a screen containing closely spaced slits. The equation for fringe width (W) in this experiment is W = λD / d, where λ is the wavelength of light, D is the distance between the double slits and the screen, and d is the separation between the slits. This equation highlights that fringe width depends on the wavelength and the distance between the screen and slits, inversely related to the slit separation. 

6. Coherent Sources and Sustained Interference of Light:

Coherent sources are essential for wave interference. They emit waves with the same frequency and a constant phase difference, maintaining a stable phase relationship. Lasers and filtered light sources are commonly used to achieve coherence. When these waves overlap, they create interference patterns, as seen in experiments like Young's double-slit. 

7. Diffraction Due to Single Slit:

Wave diffraction through a narrow slit unveils the wave nature of light and other waves. Unlike a sharp image, the wave spreads, creating a distinctive pattern of alternating bright and dark regions. This pattern features a central maximum along with multiple smaller side maxima and minima. The width of these maxima and minima is directly related to the width of the slit and the wavelength of the wave.

8. Width of Central Maximum:

The central maximum in a diffraction pattern, formed when a wave-like light passes through a narrow slit, depends on two factors: the wavelength of the wave (λ) and the width of the slit (a). This relationship is expressed as:

$w ≈ \dfrac{2\lambda}{a}$

The formula indicates that the central maximum narrows with a shorter wavelength or a wider slit.

9. Resolving Power of Microscopes and Astronomical Telescopes:

Resolving power, essential in microscopy and astronomy, measures an optical instrument's ability to distinguish closely spaced objects. It's defined by the Rayleigh criterion as $R = 1.22 \left(\dfrac{\lambda}{D}\right)$, where λ is the wavelength of light, and D is the diameter of the objective lens or mirror. Higher resolving power is achieved with smaller λ or larger D values. In astronomy, it helps differentiate distant celestial bodies like stars and galaxies, while in microscopy, it enables detailed observation of small specimens, emphasizing its fundamental significance in wave optics.

10. Polarization:

Polarized light waves exhibit a distinct vibration direction, whether vertical, horizontal, or at an intermediate angle. This property finds widespread applications, from reducing glare in sunglasses to enhancing 3D movie viewing and facilitating precise measurements with devices like polarimeters.

11. Plane Polarized Light; Brewster’s Law:

Plane-polarized light has its electric field vibrations confined to a single plane, enabling applications like glare reduction and improved display quality. Brewster's Law, an integral concept, dictates that at the Brewster angle, light striking a transparent medium becomes fully polarized. This principle is pivotal in optics, aiding in the design of anti-glare coatings and polarizing filters for optical instruments.

12. Uses of Plane-polarized Light and Polaroids: 

Plane-polarized light and polarizers are crucial in various applications:

1. Glare Reduction: Polarized sunglasses reduce glare from water, roads, and windows, improving outdoor safety.

2. 3D Entertainment: They create the 3D effect in cinema and TV, enhancing immersion.

3. Analytical Chemistry: Polarimeters determine substance concentration in pharmaceuticals and chemistry.

4. Material Testing: Polarized light helps study stress patterns and structures in transparent materials, aiding research and quality control.

5. LCD Displays: Polarizers control light intensity and orientation in modern displays, from smartphones to TVs.