Huygens Wave Theory
In 1678 the Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens was able to explain
many other properties of light by proposing that light is a wave.
Huygens showed that a wave theory of light could also explain
reflection and refraction.
Huygen’s Wave theory of light
The locus of all particles vibrating in the
same phase is known as wavefront.
source
Light travels in the medium in the form
of the wavefront.
When light travels in a medium then the particles
of the medium start vibrating and consequently, a
disturbance is created in the medium.
Wave front
Every point on the wavefront becomes the source
of secondary wavelets. It emits secondary Common
tangent
wavelets in all directions which travel with the
speed of light.
source
Secondary
Wavelets
The tangent plane to these secondary
wavelets represents the new position of Secondary
Primary
the wavefront. Wavefront
Wavefront
The phenomena explained by this theory
Reflection, Refraction, interference and diffraction
Rectilinear propagation of light.
Velocity of light in rarer medium being greater than that in denser medium.
The phenomena not explained by this theory
Photoelectric effect
Types of Wavefront
The shape of the wave front depends upon the shape of the light source
from which the wavefront originates. On this basis, there are three types of
wavefronts.
Spherical Wavefront
Cylindrical Wavefront
Plane Wavefront
Spherical Wavefront
Spherical wavefront originates from point source.
1
Intensity I ∝ (Area = 4πr 2 )
Area
1
∴ I∝
r2
Intensity ∝ (Amplitude)2
1
⇒ 2 ∝ A2
r
1
⇒ A∝
r
Cylindrical Wavefront
Cylindrical wavefront originates from linear source.
1
Intensity I ∝
Area
1
∴ I∝ (Area = 2πrh)
r
Intensity ∝ (Amplitude)2
1
⇒ ∝ A2
r
1
⇒ A∝
r
Plane Wavefront
Planar wavefront originates from the source situated at very large distance.
1
Intensity I ∝
Area
I = constant (Area is constant)
Intensity ∝ (Amplitude)2
A = constant
Summary
Sr. Wavefront Shape of Diagram or Variation of Variation of
No. Light Source shape of Intensity (I) amplitude (A)
wavefront with distance with distance
1 1
1. Spherical Point source I∝ 2 A∝
r r
2. Cylindrical Linear 1 1
I∝ A∝
source/ Slit r r
3. Plane Extended
Large
source/ I: const A: const
Point source
at very large I ∝ ro A ∝ ro
distance
Example If the amplitude of light at 20 m from a small light bulb is 𝑨𝒐 then find the
amplitude of light at a distance of 60 m from the same light bulb?
Solution
Law of Reflection by Huygens Theory
𝑣1 𝑣1
B A’
A B’
BB ′ = v1 t
AA′ = v1 t
sin i BB′
= =1
AA′ = BB′ sin r AA′
BB′ sin i = sin r
sin i =
AB ′
AA′ i=r
sin r =
AB ′
Law of Refraction by Huygens Theory
𝒗𝟏 BB ′ = v1 t AA′ = v2 t
B
BB ′ AA′
sin i = sin r =
B’ AB ′ AB ′
A
sin i BB ′ 𝑣1 μ2
A’ = = =
sin r AA′ 𝑣2 μ1
𝒗𝟐 𝜇1 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑖 = 𝜇2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑟
Example A plane wave front is incident on a given optical device in each case. Draw
the correct wave front after interaction of light ray with the Optical device?
Solution
Example A plane wave front is incident on a given optical device in each case. Draw
the correct wave front after interaction of light ray with the Optical device?
Solution
Example A planar wave front is incident on given optical device. Draw the correct wave
front after interaction of light ray with the Optical device?
Solution
Characteristics of Wavefront
The phase difference between various particles on the wave front is zero.
These wave fronts travel with the speed of light in all directions in an
isotropic medium.
A point source of light always gives rise to a spherical wave front in an
isotropic medium.
Normal to the wave front represents a ray of light.
It always travels in the forward direction in the medium.
