Directions : In the following questions, A statement of Assertion(A) ...
If a medium has the same refractive index at every point in all directions, then the waveform obtained from a point source in such a medium is spherical since the wave travels in all directions at the same speed. Such a medium is known as isotropic medium. So, the assertion and reason both are true and the reason explain the assertion properly.
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Directions : In the following questions, A statement of Assertion(A) ...
Assertion (A): Wavefront emitted by a point source of light in an isotropic medium is spherical.
Reason (R): Isotropic medium has the same refractive index in all directions.
Explanation:
Isotropic Medium:
An isotropic medium is one in which the physical properties, such as refractive index, remain the same in all directions. In other words, the medium is uniform and possesses the same characteristics regardless of the direction of measurement.
Wavefront:
A wavefront is a surface containing all the points that are in the same phase of a wave at a given time. It represents the position of maximum disturbance of the wave at any instant. For example, in the case of light waves, a wavefront can be represented by the crest or trough of the wave.
Assertion (A): Wavefront emitted by a point source of light in an isotropic medium is spherical.
Explanation of Assertion (A):
When a point source emits light in an isotropic medium, the light waves spread out in all directions uniformly. Since the medium is isotropic, the refractive index remains the same in all directions. As a result, the wavefronts of the light waves emitted by the point source will be spherical. This is because at any given time, all the points on the wavefront will be equidistant from the point source, forming a sphere.
Reason (R): Isotropic medium has the same refractive index in all directions.
Explanation of Reason (R):
In an isotropic medium, the refractive index is the same in all directions. This means that the speed of light is constant regardless of the direction of propagation. The uniform refractive index ensures that the light waves do not experience any preferential direction or change in speed as they propagate through the medium. As a result, the wavefronts remain spherical, with the same curvature in all directions.
Conclusion:
Both the assertion (A) and reason (R) are true, and reason (R) provides the correct explanation of assertion (A). The spherical wavefront emitted by a point source of light in an isotropic medium is a direct consequence of the medium having the same refractive index in all directions.