Wave Optics

Light exhibits both wave properties (interference

Light exhibits both wave properties (interference, diffraction) and particle properties (photoelectric effect, momentum). This dual nature means light

A wavefront is the locus

A wavefront is the locus of all points vibrating in phase. Different sources produce different wavefronts: point sources produce spherical wavefronts,

Using Huygens' principle

Using Huygens' principle: For reflection, the incident and reflected wavefronts make equal angles with the normal (∠i = ∠r), proving the law of reflec

When two coherent light waves (same

When two coherent light waves (same frequency, constant phase difference) superpose, their amplitudes add vectorially. For waves with amplitudes a₁ an

Two light sources are coherent if

Two light sources are coherent if they emit waves with the same frequency, constant phase difference, same waveform, and preferably equal amplitude. I