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Waves
Diffraction
The phenomena observed when waves are obstructed by
obstacles or pass through apertures are called
diffraction
effects. All (two or three dimensional) waves exhibit
diffraction effects but the magnitude of these effects depends
on the wavelength
of the waves. Diffraction
effects are most obvious when the object or aperture causing
the diffraction is
similar in size to the
wavelength of the waves.
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Diffraction by a "large" object |
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ii)
Diffraction at a "large" aperture |
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iii) Diffraction by a "small" object |
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iv)
Diffraction by a "narrow" aperture |
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An arrow drawn on a diagram to
show the direction of propagation of a set of
waves is called a
ray.
A ray is always at
90°
to the wavefront. |
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© David
Hoult 2008 |
The
Open Door Web Site