Modified Mastering Physics with Pearson eText -- Combo Access -- for Physics for Scientist and Engineers (18 week)
Modified Mastering Physics with Pearson eText -- Combo Access -- for Physics for Scientist and Engineers (18 week)
5th Edition
ISBN: 9780137504299
Author: Douglas C. Giancoli
Publisher: Pearson Education (US)
bartleby

Concept explainers

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 34, Problem 1Q
To determine

If Huygens’s principle applies to sound wave and water waves. 

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 1Q

Huygens’s principle applies to all kind of waves including sound wave and water waves. 

Explanation of Solution

Huygen’s principle states that every point on a wave front can be considered as a tine source of wavelets and these wavelets travel at the speed of wave. Moreover the new wavefront formed is the envelope of wavelets.

From this principle the new position of wavelet is determined from the tangent drawn from the rings. From this principle every wavelet acts as a secondary source for next wavelets. As the result this principle is applicable to all kind waves.

Both sound waves and water waves have particles which act as wavelets to propagate wave in forward direction. Hence, both water waves and sound waves follow Huygen’s principle.

Conclusion:

Thus, Huygens’s principle applies to all kind of waves including sound wave and water waves. 

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Does Huygens' principle apply to sound waves? To water waves? Explain.
Holding your hand at arm’s length, you can readily block direct sunlight from your eyes. Why can you not block sound from your ears this way?
Does Huygens’ principle apply to sound waves? To waterwaves? Explain how Huygens’ principle makes sense forwater waves, where each point vibrates up and down.
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Physics
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
University Physics Volume 3
Physics
ISBN:9781938168185
Author:William Moebs, Jeff Sanny
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Stars and Galaxies
Physics
ISBN:9781305120785
Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Physics
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Cengage Learning