Question

A plane wave and a spherical wave are co-propagating. What is the primary difference between these two types of waves?

A) The plane wave exhibits radial symmetry, while the spherical wave does not.
B) The plane wave has a constant amplitude, while the spherical wave's amplitude varies.
C) The plane wave travels in all directions, while the spherical wave travels in a single direction.
D) The plane wave is characterized by a sinusoidal waveform, while the spherical wave has a complex waveform.

Answer 1

The primary difference between a plane wave and a spherical wave is their wavefront shape.

Step-by-step explanation:

A plane wave and a spherical wave are both types of waves that propagate through a medium. The primary difference between these two types of waves is their wavefront shape.

A plane wave propagates in a straight line and has a wavefront that is a plane, which means it travels in all directions perpendicular to its direction of propagation. On the other hand, a spherical wave propagates in a spherical shape, with its wavefront expanding outward in all directions.

Therefore, the correct answer is C) The plane wave travels in all directions, while the spherical wave travels in a single direction.