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one of the expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough.

For sound waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.

If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou

nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c

urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields

are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light

If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves

away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher

es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves

the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small

section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a

nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts

. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves

away from the source,

the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on

the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p

ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a

nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its natureone of t
he expanding circles corresponding to a particular wave crest or trough. For sou
nd waves
the wavefront would be a surface containing all adjacent points where the wave p
ressure is in step.
For light the wavefronts are surfaces connecting adjacent points where the oscil
lating electric fields
are in step. Note that for any given wave we can define any number of wavefronts
. It is often useful,
however, to focus attention on a set of wavefronts separated from one another by
one wavelength.
If the light comes from a point source, then the wavefronts are concentric spher
es, centred on
the source and expanding away from the source at the speed of light; light from
a point source has
spherical wavefronts (see figure 2.2). At a large distance from the source the c
urvature of a small
section of a spherical wavefront is so small that the wavefront is nearly flat a
nd is a good
approximation to a plane wave.
The ray model of light
If we select a small section on a wavefront and follow its progress as it moves
away from the source,
the path traced out by this section is called a ray. A ray by its nature