point source
Noun
Meaning
a concentrated source (especially of radiation or pollution) that is spatially constricted
Source: WordNetSynonyms
Hypernyms
Examples
An ideal point source is an infinitesimally small point radiating sound.
General aperture The wave that emerges from a point source has amplitude at location r that is given by the solution of the frequency domain wave equation for a point source (The Helmholtz Equation ), : where is the 3-dimensional delta function.
Because such radiation expands as it passes through space, and as its energy is conserved (in vacuum), the intensity of all types of radiation from a point source follows an inverse-square law in relation to the distance from its source.
Between two spherical waves Optical interference between two point sources for different wavelengths and source separations A point source produces a spherical wave.
A point source illuminates a circular object, casting a shadow on a screen.
Conversely, a point source of light placed at the focal point is converted into a collimated beam by the lens.