ISC Physics Notes: Wave Nature of Light
(Huygens' Principle)
🛑 Introduction: The Basics (Read this first!)
Based on Nootan ISC Physics Class XII
Before diving into the derivations (which are the most important part for the exam), you need to
understand the "language" of this chapter.
1. What is a Wavefront?
Imagine dropping a stone into a calm pond. Circular ripples spread out.
● Wavefront: It is the "shape" of the wave at any instant. Technically, it is the surface
(locus) of all particles vibrating in the same phase (doing the same thing at the same
time).
● Ray: An arrow drawn perpendicular to the wavefront. It shows the direction the energy is
moving.
2. Types of Wavefronts
The shape of the wavefront depends on the light source. Memorize this table:
Source of Light Shape of Wavefront Diagram Concept Intensity (I) &
Amplitude (A)
Point Source (e.g., a Spherical Expanding spheres I \propto 1/r^2 A \propto
bulb) 1/r
Line Source (e.g., a Cylindrical Expanding cylinders I \propto 1/r A \propto
slit) 1/\sqrt{r}
Source at Infinity Plane Flat sheets I = \text{Constant} A =
🧠 The Core Theory: Huygens' Principle
(e.g., Sun) \text{Constant}
This is frequently asked as a 2-3 mark definition.
Huygens (pronounced "Hoy-gens") proposed a geometric method to find where a wave will be in
the future. He gave three postulates:
1. Every point acts as a source: Every point on a given wavefront acts as a fresh source of
new disturbances.
2. Secondary Wavelets: These points send out small spherical waves called "secondary
wavelets" in all directions, traveling at the speed of light.
3. The Envelope Rule: The new wavefront is the forward tangential surface (envelope)
touching all these secondary wavelets at that instant.
Why no backward wave? Huygens stated that the intensity of the secondary wavelets is
maximum in the forward direction and zero in the backward direction. Hence, waves don't travel
backward.
📝 Important Derivations (Exam Priority #1)
These two derivations are the most likely long-answer questions from this chapter. Follow the
logic step-by-step.
Derivation 1: Reflection of a Plane Wave
Goal: Prove the Law of Reflection (\angle i = \angle r) using wave theory.
The Setup (Visualize Fig. 3 in your book):
● A plane wavefront AB hits a mirror XY.
● The ray touches the mirror at point A first. Point B is still in the air.
● While point B travels to hit the mirror at A' (distance BA'), the point A has already bounced
off and created a spherical wavelet of radius AB'.
The Math (Geometry of Triangles): Let t be the time taken. Speed of light is v.
1. Distance covered:
○ Distance BA' = vt (Distance traveled by incident wave before hitting mirror).
○ Distance AB' = vt (Distance reflected wave traveled in the same time).
○ Therefore, BA' = AB'.
2. Compare Triangles: Look at \Delta ABA' and \Delta AB'A'.
○ \angle B = \angle B' = 90^\circ (Rays are perpendicular to wavefronts).
○ Side AA' is common (Hypotenuse).
○ Side BA' = AB' (Proved above).
3. Conclusion:
○ By RHS Congruence, the triangles are congruent.
○ Therefore, corresponding angles are equal: \angle BAA' = \angle B'A'A.
○ \angle i = \angle r (Hence proved).
Derivation 2: Refraction of a Plane Wave (Snell's Law)
Goal: Prove Snell's Law (\frac{\sin i}{\sin r} = \text{Refractive Index}) and show that light travels
slower in denser media.
The Setup (Visualize Fig. 4 in your book):
● Light travels from Medium 1 (Speed v_1) to Medium 2 (Speed v_2).
● The wavefront AB hits the boundary. Point A enters Medium 2 immediately. Point B is still
in Medium 1.
The Math:
1. Time logic: Let t be the time it takes for point B to reach A'.
○ Distance BA' = v_1t (in Medium 1).
2. Secondary Wavelet: In this same time t, the disturbance from A travels into Medium 2.
○ Distance AB' = v_2t (in Medium 2).
3. Calculate Sines:
○ In \Delta ABA': \sin i = \frac{\text{Opposite}}{\text{Hypotenuse}} = \frac{BA'}{AA'} =
\frac{v_1t}{AA'}
○ In \Delta AB'A': \sin r = \frac{\text{Opposite}}{\text{Hypotenuse}} = \frac{AB'}{AA'} =
\frac{v_2t}{AA'}
4. Take the Ratio:
5. Conclusion: Since v_1 and v_2 are constants, the ratio is constant. This constant is the
refractive index (n). (This verifies Snell's Law)
Key Concept for Exam: Since light bends towards the normal in a denser medium (like water),
i > r, which means \sin i > \sin r. From the formula above, this implies v_1 > v_2. Result: Light
travels slower in a denser medium. (Newton's Corpuscular theory predicted the opposite, so
⚡ Key Formulas & Definitions (For Numericals)
Wave theory won!)
1. Refractive Index (n) relations
Also, relating two media:
2. Frequency vs. Wavelength
This is a conceptual trap in exams.
● Frequency (\nu): Does NOT change when light enters a new medium. (It depends on the
source).
● Wavelength (\lambda): DOES change.
○ Derivation: Since v = \nu\lambda and n = c/v:
○
○ Interpretation: Wavelength shrinks in a denser medium.
3. Optical Path
When light travels a distance d in a medium of refractive index n, it is "equivalent" to traveling a
longer distance in vacuum.
🎯 Exam Cheat Sheet: How to Solve Questions
● Time taken: Time = \frac{\text{Optical Path}}{c}
1. "Define Wavefront": Write "Locus of particles in same phase" + Draw the spherical/plane
diagrams.
2. "Derive Snell's Law":
○ Draw the diagram with two triangles sharing a hypotenuse.
○ Label speeds v_1 and v_2.
○ Write \sin i = v_1t/h and \sin r = v_2t/h.
○ Divide them. Done.
3. Numerical on Wavelength: If given wavelength in air (e.g., 6000 Å) and asked for
wavelength in water (n=1.33):
○ Divide by n: 6000 / 1.33.
4. "Does frequency change?": NO. Write this in capital letters in your mind. Speed and
Wavelength change; Frequency stays constant.
