Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Light Waves
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] · Physics · Light Waves
The wavefronts of light arriving from a distant source of unknown...
The wavefronts of light arriving from a distant source of unknown shape are approximately
Options
- Aplane
- Bcylindrical
- Celliptical
- Dspherical
Correct answer
A. plane
Step-by-step solution
When a light wave travels a very large distance from its source, the radius of curvature of the wavefront becomes extremely large.
As a result, a small portion of the wavefront incident on an observer or an optical instrument appears to be flat.
Thus, the wavefronts of light arriving from a distant source are approximately plane wavefronts, regardless of the initial shape of the source.
As a result, a small portion of the wavefront incident on an observer or an optical instrument appears to be flat.
Thus, the wavefronts of light arriving from a distant source are approximately plane wavefronts, regardless of the initial shape of the source.