Diffraction of wavesCopy

Learning Objectives

• Describe how waves can undergo diffraction through a narrow gap
• Describe how wavelength and gap size affects diffraction through a gap
• Describe how wavelength affects diffraction at an edge
• Describe the use of water waves to demonstrate diffraction

Contents to learn

Diffraction of waves
The wave bends round the sides of an obstacle, or spread out as they pass through the gap. This effect is called diffraction.

Diffraction is only significant if the size of the gap is about the same as the wavelength. Wider gaps produce less diffraction.