Consider the following statements regarding wave fronts and Huygens principle: 1. Every point on a given wave front acts as a secondary source of light waves emitting secondary wavelets in all directions. 2. The new position of the wave front at any subsequent time is the envelope touching all secondary wavelets tangentially in the forward direction. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Both statements accurately reflect Huygens wave theory, which successfully explains the geometrical propagation of wavefronts through space. Secondary wavelets advance at the speed of light in the medium, and their forward tangential envelope constructs the succeeding wavefront position. Huygens principle provides a foundational theoretical basis for understanding both reflection and refraction phenomena of light waves.