Q. Two coherent sources of different intensities send waves which interfere. The ratio of maximum intensity to the minimum intensity is 25. The intensities of the sources are in the ratio

A) 25 : 1
B) 5 : 1
C) 9 : 4
D) 25 : 16
Explanation

(c) Let $a_{1}$ and $a_{2}$ be amplitudes of the two waves.
For maximum intensity
$\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ I_{\max} = \left( a_{1} + a_{2} \right)^{2}$
For minimum intensity
$\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ I_{\min} = \left( a_{1} - a_{2} \right)^{2}$
Given, $\frac{I_{max}}{I_{\min}} = \frac{25}{1} = \frac{\left( a_{1} + a_{2} \right)^{2}}{\left( a_{1} - a_{2} \right)^{2}}$
$\Rightarrow \ \frac{a_{1} + a_{2}}{a_{1} - a_{2}} = \frac{5}{1}$
$\Rightarrow \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \frac{a_{1}}{a_{2}} = \frac{3}{2}$
(law of componendo and dividendo)
Also, $Intensity\ \propto (amplitude)^{2}$
$\therefore\frac{I_{1}}{I_{2}} = \left( \frac{a_{1}}{a_{2}} \right)^{2} = \frac{9}{4}$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.

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