[annathecat]

Hi,
I'm taking A2 physics AQA specA.
For Turning points in Physics option, i need to know the Huygen's principle.
The problem is I started reading over notes on this topic and I am really very very lost.
I don't understand when they say "every point on a wavefront may be considered to be a point source of secondary wavelets that spread out in the forward direction at the speed of the wave. The new wave front is the surface that is tangential to all of these secondary wavelets".
I just can't seem to understand perfectly what is going on. Usually when I understand a concept, I am able to draw it in my head and absorb it but it doesn't work for Huygen's principle.
Can anyone please help me put the concept in to simpler words so I can actually understand it, instead of memorising the definition (which of course at a2 physics doesn't get you anywhere).

Thank you in advance.
X
p.s. How was Physics 4 everyone?I found it extremely hard, am i the only one?

[Stonebridge]

Take a look at this web page, especially the series of animations (3rd item) that explain the principle.
http://www.acoustics.salford.ac.uk/f.../diffract3.htm

[annathecat]

(Original post by Stonebridge)
Take a look at this web page, especially the series of animations (3rd item) that explain the principle.
http://www.acoustics.salford.ac.uk/f.../diffract3.htm

Hi Stonebridge, once again!
Thank you very much for the link-it cleared up lots of my confusion.

x