Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A coherent source refers to a source that emits waves with a constant phase relationship. In other words, the crests and troughs of the waves are aligned and maintain their positions over time.
The phenomenon that occurs when two or more waves overlap and combine either constructively (amplitude increases) or destructively (amplitude decreases).
A device consisting of many closely spaced slits or grooves that can separate incoming light into its component wavelengths.
Huygens' Principle: A principle stating that every point on a wavefront acts as a source of secondary spherical wavelets that spread out in all directions.