KCET2007PhysicsWave Optics
Light from two coherent sources of the same amplitude A and wavelength illuminates the screen. The intensity of the central maximum is I₀ . If the sources were incoherent, the intensity at the same point will be
Options
- A4 I₀
- B2 I₀
- CI₀
- DI₀ 2
Correct answer
D. I₀ 2
Step-by-step solution
The rays of light from two coherent sources superimpose each other on the screen forming alternate maxima (with maximum intensity I₀ ) and minima (with intensity zero). If two non-coherent sources superimpose, there will be no maxima and minima, instead the intensity will be I₀ 2 throughout.