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Speckle patterns in laser light arise from:

Random interference of coherent light scattered from a rough surface. Speckle: coherent light from a laser scatters off a rough surface; random phase differences between paths cause a random interference pattern.

Short Answer

Random interference of coherent light scattered from a rough surface is the best answer.

Wave and optics questions test how frequency, wavelength, phase, interference, and geometry fit together. Start with the physical picture before choosing the equation.

Speckle: coherent light from a laser scatters off a rough surface; random phase differences between paths cause a random interference pattern.

Why This Answer Is Correct

This is a Hard-level question in Waves & Optics. The prompt is really testing whether you can connect the concept to its defining physical relationship instead of picking a nearby-but-wrong term.

If a waves question feels messy, sketch the geometry or phase relationship first, then return to the algebra.

Choices At A Glance

  • A. Laser instability
  • B. Random interference of coherent light scattered from a rough surface
  • C. Chromatic aberration
  • D. Polarisation-mode coupling

When similar options appear on an exam, eliminate the ones that break the core law, use the wrong units, or confuse a definition with a consequence.

Topic Snapshot

Topic: Waves & Optics

Difficulty: Hard

Best next move: Re-state the governing law in your own words, then solve one more example from the same topic before moving on.