Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 21 - Superposition - Exercises and Problems - Page 624: 60

Answer

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Work Step by Step

We have a film of oil on a glass piece, where we know that the oil's index of refraction is less than that of the glass and greater than that of the air. So we have two 180$^\circ$ phase changes, meaning that the two reflected rays will interact in phase, as we see in the figure below. Hence, for constructive interference, $$2t=m\dfrac{\lambda}{n_{film}}\tag 1$$ where $t$ is the thickness of the film. And for destructive interference, $$2t=\left(m+\frac{1}{2}\right)\dfrac{\lambda}{n_{film}}\tag 2$$ $$\color{blue}{\bf a)}$$ Solving (1) for $\lambda$, to find the visible wavelengths of light that reflected and interfere constructively. $$\lambda=\dfrac{2tn_{film}}{m}$$ Plugging the known, and recalling that the range of the visible light is from 380 nm to 700 nm. $$\lambda=\dfrac{2(500)(1.42)}{m}=\dfrac{1420}{m}$$ At $m=1$, $$\lambda=\bf 1420\;\rm nm$$ which is not visible light. At $m=2$, $$\lambda=\bf 710\;\rm nm$$ which is not visible light. At $m=3$, $$\lambda=\color{red}{\bf 473}\;\rm nm$$ which is visible light. At $m=4$, $$\lambda=\bf 355\;\rm nm$$ which is not visible light. So, it is obvious that the only visible light reflected constructively is 473 nm. $$\color{blue}{\bf b)}$$ Solving (2) for $\lambda$, to find the visible wavelengths of light that reflected and interfere destructively. $$\lambda=\dfrac{2tn_{film}}{m+\frac{1}{2}} $$ Plugging the known, $$\lambda=\dfrac{1420}{m+\frac{1}{2}} $$ At $m=1$, $$\lambda=\bf 947\;\rm nm$$ which is not visible light. At $m=2$, $$\lambda=\color{red}{\bf 568}\;\rm nm$$ which is visible light. At $m=3$, $$\lambda=\color{red}{\bf 406}\;\rm nm$$ which is visible light. At $m=4$, $$\lambda=\bf 316\;\rm nm$$ which is not visible light. So, it is obvious that the only visible light reflected destructively is $568$ nm, $406$ nm. $$\color{blue}{\bf c)}$$ The color of the reflected light is 473 nm light which is blue. And the transmitted lights are 406 nm which is violet and 568 nm which is yellow-green light.
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