Minima and Maxima on a Circle – Rankers Physics

Miscellaneous: Practice Problem & Solution

Assertion (A): Distance between two coherent sources \(S_1\) and \(S_2\) is \(4\lambda\). A large circle is drawn around these sources with centre of circle lying on centre of \(S_1\) and \(S_2\). there are total 16 maxima on the circle. Reason (R): Total number of minima on this circle are less compare to total number of maximas.
(1) Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
(2) Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
(3) (A) is true but (R) is false
(4) Both (A) and (R) are false

Short Solution (Best for NEET):

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Miscellaneous. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

Given distance \(d=4lambda\). Path difference \(\Delta x = dcos\theta = 4\lambdacos\theta\). The range for \(\Delta x\) is \(-4\lambda \le \Delta x \le 4\lambda\). For maxima, \(\Delta x = n\lambda\), so \(-4 \le n \le 4\). This gives 9 integer values for \(n\). \(n=pm 4\) correspond to \(cos\theta = pm 1\) (2 points). The other 7 values \(n=pm 3, pm 2, pm 1, 0\) correspond to \(|costheta|<1\) (giving \(2times 7 = 14\) points). Total maxima = \(2+14=16\). So (A) is true. For minima, \(\Delta x = (n+1/2)\lambda\), so \(-4.5 \le n \le 3.5\). This gives 8 integer values for \(n\) (from -4 to 3). For all these values, \(|(n+1/2)/4|<1\), so each gives 2 points. Total minima = \(8\times 2 = 16\). Thus, there are 16 maxima and 16 minima. Reason (R) is false.

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