Wavefront propagation

Wavefront propagation describes how a wave, such as light or sound, spreads out from a source. Imagine dropping a pebble into a pond and watching the ripples move outward in all directions; these ripples are wavefronts. In optics, wavefronts represent the surfaces where the wave’s phase is the same, guiding how the wave travels and bends around objects. The shape of these wavefronts determines how waves focus or distort, and understanding their propagation helps design lenses, audio systems, and other technologies that control wave behavior efficiently.