What is shape of wavefront originating from
i) a point source and ii) a line source?

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Solution

i) The wave front originating from a point source is spherical in shape. It is because, the locus of all such points, which are equidistant from the point source, is a sphere.
ii) The wave front originating from a line source is cylindrical in shape. It is because, all the points, which are equidistant from the linear source, lie on the surface of a cylinder.

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What is the shape of the wavefront in each of the following cases:
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(b) Light emerging out of a convex lens when a point source is placed at its focus.

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