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Chapter 23: Problem 1

Sketch the wavefronts and rays for the light emitted by an isotropic point source (isotropic = same in all directions). Use Huygens's principle to illustrate the propagation of one of the wavefronts.

Short Answer

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Question: Sketch and explain the propagation of wavefronts and rays for light emitted by an isotropic point source using Huygens's Principle.

Step by step solution

01

Sketch spherical wavefronts

To sketch the spherical wavefronts, you can start by drawing a series of concentric circles with an equal distance between them around the isotropic point source. The point source should be placed at the center of the circles. Each circle represents a wavefront.
02

Draw rays perpendicular to wavefronts

The rays show the direction of energy flow. To draw the rays, sketch straight lines starting from the isotropic point source and going outward in all directions. The rays should be perpendicular to the wavefronts (the circles) at the point where they intersect.
03

Choose a wavefront

Now, choose one of the wavefronts (one of the circles) to illustrate the propagation using Huygens's Principle.
04

Explain Huygens's Principle

Huygens's Principle states that every point on a wavefront can be considered as a secondary source of wavelets, which spread out in the forward direction at the same speed as the wave. After some time, the new position of the wavefront is the surface tangent to these wavelets.
05

Apply Huygens's Principle to the selected wavefront

To apply Huygens's Principle to the selected wavefront, imagine that each point on that wavefront is a secondary source of spherical wavelets spreading in all directions. After a short period, draw a new circle tangent to these wavelets, which will represent the new position of the wavefront.
06

Show the new wavefront

Draw a new circle tangent to the wavelets generated by each point on the initially chosen wavefront. This new circle represents the new wavefront after a short period. Ensure that the wavelets are spreading at the same speed as the original wavefront. Now you have successfully sketched the wavefronts and rays for the light emitted by an isotropic point source and used Huygens's Principle to illustrate the propagation of one of the wavefronts.

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