Seemingly incomprehensible Wave motion

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of wave motion, specifically focusing on the term "wave front" as it relates to interference patterns in ripple tanks. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the definition and implications of wave fronts in the context of wave behavior, particularly in relation to familiar experiments like Young's double slit.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the definition of a wave front, questioning its equivalence to waves or rays. Some attempt to relate the concept to practical examples, such as dropping a ball in water to visualize wave fronts. Others express difficulty in understanding the terminology and its implications for interference patterns.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing definitions and visual aids to clarify the concept of wave fronts. There is a mix of interpretations and attempts to connect the concept to practical experiences, but no consensus has been reached on a clear understanding of wave fronts.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention language barriers and the challenge of grasping new concepts in wave motion, indicating that this is an introductory topic for them. The original poster's inquiry is not part of a formal homework assignment, which may influence the nature of the discussion.

junior_J
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This may not be the best place to ask this question ... heck it isn't even homework ... I am trying to get a head start on next weeks lesson which is wave motion ... My book keeps referring to a term "wave front" , it mentions it twice/thrice during an explanation of interfernce patterns as seen on ripple tanks but doesn't actually say what it is ... my question is what is a wave front ? and how does this cause the interference ripple effects ?? (Im familliar with Youngs double slit experiment and how it works , although I am totally lost on how concentric circles cause superpostiton of waves ? )
 
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hmm...assume you drop a ball into a water tank and the circles that form around the ball are the wavefront...get it?if you can't jus get a pail of water and drop a ball in it and view from the top.anyway, let's say 2 wavefront meets(when it bounce back from the side of the tank) they will superimpose causing the interference pattern.
 
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hmm ... I still don't get it ... is a wave front equivalent to a wave or say a ray ??
 
ok the definition bit from Wikipedia goes "...a wavefront is the locus (a line, or, in a wave propagating in 3 dimensions a surface) of points having the same phase"

didn't get what its trying to say ... this lesson is a first for meh , bear with me and my english isn't all that good :)
 
so a wavefront is a group of waves in which a point on each of the waves are exactly located at their crests ??
 
sorry if this seems annoying ... how does that fit into the description made by semc about picturing water waves ?? I am totally lost
 
Wavefront is really just a front of the wave. If the wave propogates like a circle then the wavefront will be a circle and if it's propagating like a sphear the front will be shaped like a sphear.
 
  • #10
oki still don't get it , dropping this head start thingy ... thnx anyways
 
  • #11
hmm... i think it is easier to understand this way,wavefront = crest/trough get it?
 

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