Class 12 Nature and propagation of light Notes - Physics NEB

Nature and propagation of light Notes:

Define Wavefront and Rays:

→ According to the wave theory of light, a source of light sends out disturbances or waves in all directions. As the wave propagates in the medium, the particles of the medium execute the SHM with different phases. If all points with the same phase are joined, a wavefront is obtained.

→ A wavefront at any instant is defined as the locus of the particles of the medium vibrating in the same phase. A line perpendicular to a wavefront is called a "ray".

What are the types of wavefronts?

→ There are three types of wavefronts. They are:

(i) Spherical wavefront:

→ The Wavefront from the point source is in the form of a concentric sphere is called a spherical wavefront.

(ii) Cylinder wavefront:

→ The wavefront from the linear light source is in the form of the co-axial axis called a cylinder wavefront.

(iii) Plane wavefront:

→ The wavefront from the distant source is in the form of a plane is called a plane wavefront.

Also Check: Class 12 Interference of Light Notes

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