$diffracted sound waves$

When the obstacle is much larger than the wavelength, no diffraction occurs however, when the aperture is smaller than the wavelength, we find that circular wave fronts are produced. The condition to achieve diffraction is that the dimensions of the hindrance or of the obstacle must be comparable to the wavelength. So, the spreading of light waves around the corners of the obstacle is the diffraction of waves. So, keep scrolling through this page.Ī light wave when encounters a hindrance in its way, bends around the corner or edges of the opaque object. You will get the answer to these questions on reading further. What happens to water waves when they encounter a stone along their path? Do they revert or continue moving on their way? What occurs to the shape of waves when they pass through a narrow gap? Do waves possess the same shape as before? If in an electric circuit, electrons passing through a narrow wire approaches a big container (as a wire), these electrons spread all around, and this scattering is the electron diffraction.Ĭonsider the below diagram to understand the cases mentioned above:ĭo you know what happens to water when you put a finger under the tap? Does water revert to the tap or it continues falling down? Or If the direction of water remains the same as before putting the finger under the tap? As the light is spreading all around the area, this spreading is the diffraction of light. Now, you switch on the flashlight of your mobile phone, and the flashlight emitting at the opened end of the tunnel spreads around. Let’s suppose that you are stuck in a tunnel and there is no one around to help you come out of it, so you try to call people moving around the tunnel but they can’t hear you.

$diffracted sound waves$

In a loudspeaker, you speak through a small hole, but the voice coming out spreads around the vicinity and that too modulated, i.e., the diffraction of sound. The diffraction of light is similar to the concept of using a loudspeaker. Here, we have discussed the types of diffraction like diffraction grating, Bragg diffraction, double slit diffraction, and electron diffraction.

$diffracted sound waves$ $diffracted sound waves$

Diffraction Meaning: It is the process by which a stream of light or wave is spread out as a result of passing via a narrow area or across an edge, generally accompanied by interference between the waveform produced.Ĭonsider a train crossing the tunnel, inside the tunnel the rays of the headlight will remain converged however, as the train comes out of the tunnel, the same light spreads around the area.

$diffracted sound waves$

Diffracted sound waves