Dispersion and Scattering of Light
NIOS · Class 12 · Physics
Most important questions from Dispersion and Scattering of Light for NIOS Class 12 Physics board exam 2026. MCQs, short answer, and long answer questions with marks.
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Sample Questions
For a prism with apex angle A, the angle of minimum deviation is δm = A. What is the refractive index of the prism material? (Use sin(3A/4) / sin(A/2) for A = 60°, sin 45° = 0.707, sin 30° = 0.500)
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1.414
Step 1: Using μ = sin((A + δm)/2) / sin(A/2) and δm = A: μ = sin((A + A)/2) / sin(A/2) = sin(A) / sin(A/2). Step 2: Using double angle formula: sin(A) = 2sin(A/2)cos(A/2). Step 3: μ = 2sin(A/2)cos(A/2) / sin(A/2) = 2cos(A/2). Step 4: For A = 60°: μ = 2cos(30°) = 2 × (√3/2) = √3 ≈ 1.732. Wait — re-checking with δm = A/2: μ = sin(3A/4)/sin(A/2). For A=60°: sin45°/sin30° = 0.707/0.500 = 1.414. The question states δm = A/2 effectively for A=60°, giving √2 = 1.414. Options B, C, D are common guesses without applying the formula correctly.
Which of the following correctly distinguishes the primary rainbow from the secondary rainbow?
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Primary rainbow: two refractions + one internal reflection; red on outside, subtends ~42° at observer's eye
Step 1: The primary rainbow forms by two refractions and ONE internal reflection inside the water drop. Step 2: The mean angle of minimum deviation is about 137°29', so the bow subtends about 42°31' at the observer's eye. Step 3: Red light (longer wavelength, less deviation) appears on the outer side (43°) and violet on the inner side (41°). Step 4: The secondary rainbow forms by two refractions and TWO internal reflections, subtends ~51° for red (inner) and ~54° for violet (outer) — colour order is reversed. Option A describes the secondary rainbow. Option C confuses primary with secondary. O
In a Raman scattering experiment, the incident light has frequency ν₀. The molecule is initially in its ground state. What is the frequency of the Stokes' line observed in the scattered spectrum?
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ν₀ − νm
Step 1: In the Raman effect, when incident photon interacts with a molecule in the ground state, it can excite the molecule to a higher vibrational energy level. Step 2: In doing so, the photon loses energy equal to the vibrational energy hνm of the molecule. Step 3: Therefore, the scattered photon has energy h(ν₀ − νm), i.e., frequency = ν₀ − νm. These are called Stokes' lines (lower frequency than incident). Step 4: Option A (ν₀ + νm) describes anti-Stokes' lines, which occur when the molecule is already in an excited state and gives energy to the photon. Option C describes Rayleigh (elastic
A prism of apex angle 5° is made of glass having μV = 1.55 and μR = 1.50. What is the angular dispersion between violet and red light produced by this prism?
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0.25°
Step 1: For a small-angle prism, deviation for any colour is δ = (μ − 1)A. Step 2: Deviation for violet: δV = (1.55 − 1) × 5° = 0.55 × 5° = 2.75°. Step 3: Deviation for red: δR = (1.50 − 1) × 5° = 0.50 × 5° = 2.50°. Step 4: Angular dispersion = δV − δR = 2.75° − 2.50° = 0.25°. Option A (0.15°) is wrong — likely a subtraction error. Option C (0.50°) results from not subtracting properly. Option D (0.05°) divides instead of multiplying by A.
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