What are wave fronts, Physics

Assignment Help:

What are wave fronts?

(Physics) A wave front is an imaginary surface joining all points in space that are reached at the similar instant by a wave propagating by a medium.

Let's try some instance. When a rock is tossed into a calm lake, a surface disturbance radiates from the point where the rock broke the water. The leading edge of that whole wave forms a circle, and that circle is the wave front for that event. It is moving outward at a constant speed in all directions. In a burst of chemical energy, a star shell explodes at a fireworks display. The light moves away from the origin in all directions at the similar speed - the speed of light. And the 3D surface of this wave front is a sphere, and it is expands around the source at the speed of light. Pick an arbitrary distance, say, 1 kilometre. Anyone at a distance of 1 km from the event in any direction will search that the wave front reaches him at the similar instant of time as anyone else in any direction who is that 1 km from the event. Even someone in an airplane that is 1 km away will be on the wave front for an instant - that similar instant as any other observers 1 km away. Note that the sound will arrive later - but it, too, radiates forming a spherical wave front. Our observers at 1 km distance from the event all experience the arrival of the sound wave at the similar time.

 


Related Discussions:- What are wave fronts

Hookes law, Hookes Law Hooke's equation actually holds (to some extent)...

Hookes Law Hooke's equation actually holds (to some extent) in several other situations whereas an elastic body is deformed, like as wind blowing on a tall building, a musician

Describe the construction of optical fiber, Describe the construction of op...

Describe the construction of optical fiber. Explain the principle of propagation of light waves within a fiber. Define acceptance angle and acceptance.  How optical fibers can be u

1 volt, 1 Volt : Potential difference among two points will be 1 volt i...

1 Volt : Potential difference among two points will be 1 volt if 1 joule of work is needed to move a +ve charge of Coulumb from 1 point to another.

What is the type of bonding in silicon, What is the type of bonding in sili...

What is the type of bonding in silicon? (A) Ionic. (B) Covalent. (C) Metallic. (D) Ionic + Metallic Ans: Bonding in silicon is covalent type.

What is p-n junction, P-N junction is (A) A rectifier.      (B) An amp...

P-N junction is (A) A rectifier.      (B) An amplifier. (C) An Oscillator. (D) A Coupler. Ans: P-N junction is a rectifier.

Electric, The P.D. at the feeder end of a two wire d.c. distributor is 600...

The P.D. at the feeder end of a two wire d.c. distributor is 600 volts. Two loads are connected to the distributor at distances of 600 feet and 1000 feet from the feeder end and t

Define the temperature coefficient of resistance, Q. Define: the temperatur...

Q. Define: the temperature coefficient of resistance. The ratio of raise in resistance per degree rise in temperature to its resistance at 0 o C is called as temperature coeff

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd