Topic: Syllabus:

Huygens Principle Huygens' principle Laws of reflection and refraction from Huygens principle. Huygens' Principle: wave fronts different types shapes, rays; Huygens' construction and principle; laws of reflection and refraction using this. Determination of speed of light by Michelson's method. [Scope: General introduction to measurement of c. Michelsons method, ray diagrams, brief description of theory and experiment; present value of c accepted internationally (9 digit value)]

Lesson Development:

Introduction
In the year 1678, the well known Dutch physicist Christiana Huygens explained about the wave nature of light. In this chapter we will discuss the wave nature of light. We will see, that the wave model could satisfactorily explain phenomena of reflection and refraction. However this theory predicted that after refraction if the wave bends towards normal then speed of light would be less in the second medium. Though this was in contradiction to the prediction made by using the corpuscular model of light yet it was confirmed by experiments which showed that the speed of light in water is less than the speed in air confirming that the prediction of Wave model was correct.

Wave front and its different shapes

If we drop a stone [side-diagram] in water we can observe ripples on surface. A similar ray diagram for these ripples is shown below. There are positions like A1, B1, C1, where the particles vibrating are in same phase or same state of vibration. Similarly, at position A2, B2, C2, the particles are in same phase or same state of vibration. If we join these points where the particles are in same phase [or same state of vibration] then we get a circle. This circle is collection of all points where the particles are in same phase of oscillation and it is known as wave front. So, A1, B1, C1, represents one wave front and A2, B2, C2, represents another wave front. The wave front is always perpendicular to propagation of wave.

Huygens' Wave Theory

According to Huygens as every particle in the first wavefront A1, B1, C1, vibrates [Fig. 2], it act as a source for second wavefront A2, B2, C2,. [Fig. 2] This means that as particles in position A1, B1, C1, vibrates, due to their vibration the particles around them also starts vibrating. This leads to formation of second wave front. Again as the particles in second wave front vibrate it creates the third wavefront.

Huygens Principle [i] Every particle on the primary wavefront [1st wavefront] act as a source for secondary wavefront [also called secondary wavelet]. new

[ii] Secondary wavelets travel forward in all directions exactly the same way as Primary Wavefront. Construction of Secondary wavefront [wavelets] Let S1 be a source of light and A1, B1, C1, be the primary wavefront. If we consider each of these particles on primary wavefront as source of secondary wavefront then we will get circular wavefront around each of these particles. Now if we draw a tangent touching the surface of these circles then we get the secondary wavefront A2, B2, C2,..

Physics Notes: By S. K. Roy for royphyics.net

Different type of sources produces different shape of wave front. Some types of wavefront are shown below: For a point source-2 Dimension [eg. Stone dropped on water] In 2D we get circular wave front

The arrows indicate direction of propagation of waves.

Bulb is source of spherical wavefront

For a point source-3 Dimension [eg. A glowing bulb] In 3D we get spherical wave front. For a line source [Burning of tube light] In case of line source we get cylindrical front. [diagram below] For a source at infinity [Sunlight] When the source is at infinity we consider the rays traveling parallel to each other. In this case the wave front is a Plane wave front.

wave

Reflection of Wavefront
Let AB be the incident plane wavefront and after reflection on surface, DE is the reflected wavefront. We can show that Laws of reflection are obeyed in reflection of wavefront.

In triangle BAC and in triangle EDA Angle ABD = Angle AED = 900 Side AD = side AD [Common] Side AB = Side ED [both are wavefront of same source] Using RHS rule these triangles are congruent [equal] which means Angle BAC = Angle EDA
Physics Notes: By S. K. Roy for royphysics.net

Now, Angle BAC = Angle i Angle EDA = Angle r Hence Angle i is equal to Angle r and we have proved that reflection of wavefront obeys Laws of reflection. Information on How Angle BAC = Angle i and Angle EDA = Angle r. [Diag. of Incident wavefront] In the diagram given aside, Angle y + x = 90o and, Angle i + y = 90o Hence we can say that, Angle x = Angle i Similarly you can show, Angle EDA = Angle r

Refraction of wavefront
If AC is the incident wavefront and FD is refracted wavefront then we can show that refraction of wavefront obeys Snell's law. Let the time taken by to reach from C to D be t and now in same time Point A would be at F hence we can write, CD = c1 t and AF = c2 t Also the angle CAD = angle i

[angle of incidence for wavefront-we have seen above] Similarly, angle ADF = angle r Now, sin i = sin CAD= And, sin r = sin FDA= CD c1t = AC AC
C1

C2

AF c 2 t = FD FD

we get the ratio

Physics Notes: By S. K. Roy for royphysics.net

sin i c = 1 = 1 2 sin r c2 This verifies the law of refraction or Snell's law.

Determination of speed of light by Michelson's method

Let the distance between two mirrors be d and time taken by light to travel between these mirrors is t1. Then we can write t1 = 2d / c Now let the angular velocity be and angle of rotation be then we can write the angular velocity as, = / t2 and the angle can be written as = 2 / N where 2 is the angle for one rotation and N is number of sides. This is the angle mirror has to rotate in order to bring second surface in place of first [Refer below for more]. Note: If an object has four sides then to bring side-2 in place of side-1 it has to turn by 90o.
Side-1 Side-2 Side-2 Side-1 Side-1 Side-2

Now, = 2 / N = 360/4 [sides] = 900 From the equation = / t2 we can write t2 = [] / = [2 / N] / The value of is also 2n where n is number of rotation per second, so we can modify the equation as t2 = [2 / N] / 2n = 1 / Nn The time taken t1 and t2 for same source is same hence, 2d / c = 1 / Nn, or c = 2dNn

This equation gives the speed of light. In Michelson's experiment an octagonal mirror was used hence the speed of light is found as c = 16nd Advantage of Michelson's experiment 1. As the speed of light is very high hence distance d has to be kept large. In this experiment we can maintain a large distance by keeping the concave mirrors on peak of different mountains. 2. As mirrors are used hence there is no loss of light during this process. Disadvantage of Michelson's experiment This method can be used to find speed of light only in air as medium.

Try
1. 2. In a Michelson's experiment, the octagonal mirror makes 625 revolution per second and distance between concave mirror and rotating mirror was 30 km. Find the velocity of light. During refraction will the incident wavefront be parallel to refracted wavefront?

Ans. No, because velocity of light in both medium is different.

Questions: 1. State Huygen's principle. Using this principle, verify the first law of reflection. [ISC 2001/2004 ] [3 marks]

2. State Huygen's principle. Draw the ray diagrams for two types of wave fronts. (Draw 3 rays and 3 waves fronts for each type) [2 marks] 3. Using Huygens principle, verify the law of reflection. Draw diagrams showing incident and reflected wave fronts. [3marks]