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⚛️ Physics  ·  Wave Optics  ·  NEET & JEE

Two independent light bulbs cannot act as coherent sources because the phase difference between them:

Answer: keeps changing randomly.

  • A remains constant in time
  • B keeps changing randomly
  • C is exactly zero
  • D is exactly 90°

Correct answer: B. keeps changing randomly

Explanation: Coherence needs a constant phase relationship. Independent sources emit light in random bursts, so their phase difference varies randomly and no steady interference is seen.

Young's Double Slit Experimentsourceslits S₁,S₂dscreenbrightdarkPath difference at the screen determines bright (constructive, nλ) vs dark (destructive, (2n-1)λ/2) fringes

Two coherent slits S₁ and S₂ act as secondary sources; at each point on the screen, the path difference between light from S₁ and S₂ determines whether the waves arrive in phase (bright fringe) or out of phase (dark fringe), producing the characteristic alternating fringe pattern.

Concept context

Huygens principle, Young's double slit, diffraction, polarization. Essential for JEE.

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