Difference between Wavefronts and Wavenormal
After studying the nature of light according to Huygens’s theory the light consists of waves that travel through a medium called ether. The wavefronts and wavenormal are the intresting parts of the wave. The locus of all points of the medium which vibrates in the same phase called wavefronts. The successive wavefronts are one wavelength apart. There are three types of wavefronts first spherical wavefront, cylindrical wavefront and plane wavefront. Wave normal is defined as wave + normal i.e When a perpendicular drawn on the surface of a wavefront at any point in the direction of propagation of light is called wavenormal. The difference between them is as follows
Wavefronts | Wave normal |
1) The wavefronts is defined as a surface which connect the same point on adjacent wave.
2) The locus of all points of the medium which vibrates in the same phase called wavefronts. 3) The wavefronts change their shape for different lens or mirror. 4) In isotropic medium the wave normal and light rays are perpendicular to the wavefronts. |
1) The wave normal is defined as a right angle to the wave front and represent the direction of the moving wave.
2) When a perpendicular drawn on the surface of a wavefront at any point in the direction of propagation of light is called wavenormal. 3) The wave normal is always normal to the wavefront. 4) In anisotropic medium the light rays are not perpendicular to the wave normal. |