Question

Define wave front type of wave front . Explain it with diagram​

Answer 1

A wavefront is a line or surface in the path of wave motion on which the disturbances at every point have the same phase. Wavefronts can be of three types depending on the source of light as follows:

1] Cylindrical wavefront

2] Spherical wavefront

3] Plane wavefront

Spherical Wavefront

When a point source in an isotropic medium, it sends out waves in three dimensions, the wavefronts are spheres centred on the source. Such wavefront is called a spherical wavefront.

Cylindrical wavefront

When the source of light is linear, all the points equidistant from the linear source lie on the surface of a cylinder. Such a wavefront is called a cylindrical wavefront.

Plane wavefront

When a fraction of a spherical or cylindrical wavefront originates from a distant source like infinity then the wavefront which is obtained is known as a plane wavefront.

Answer 2

Answer:

Wave fronts may be of different shapes according to the shape of light sources.

1. If the light source is a points source then the wave front is spherical having source at its center.
2. If there is a linear source wave front is cylindrical in shape having the source at its axis.
3. In case of both point source and linear source, when the wavefront is at a very large distance from the source, it is a plane wavefront.