Physics › Section S · Vision, instruments, and wave optics › Topic S.3
Light as a wave and Huygens's principle
Rays explain mirrors and lenses, but light is really a wave, and some of its behaviour only makes sense that way. Huygens's simple picture of wavelets explains reflection, refraction and the spreading of light through narrow openings.
In this topic
- Rays or waves?
- Light in a medium
- Worked example: a green laser in water
- Wavefronts and rays
- Huygens's principle
- Reflection and refraction from wavelets
- Worked example: wavelets in glass
- Diffraction
- Worked example: sound and light at a doorway
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Key takeaways
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