4.4.4 Diffraction

• Waves bend around the obstacle
• A diffraction pattern is formed when waves spread after passing through an aperture
• Steps in Young's double-slit experiment:

  1️⃣ Light from the source passes through the double slit

  2️⃣ Two sets of diffracted waves are created

  3️⃣ Waves interfere on the screen

  4️⃣ Bright and dark bands appear
• Longer wavelengths diffract more than shorter wavelengths.


  True
• Light waves diffract more around obstacles than sound waves.

  False
• Light waves require narrower apertures to observe diffraction effects because they have shorter wavelengths
• Diffraction is the spreading out of waves when they encounter obstacles or pass through apertures.
• Diffraction through obstacles results in the formation of a diffraction pattern.

  False
• Smaller apertures or longer wavelengths lead to narrower diffraction patterns.

  False
• What is the purpose of the double slit in Young's experiment?

  Splits light into two beams
• What does the variable 'λ' represent in the wave equation v = fλ?

  Wavelength
• What is the primary difference between diffraction of sound and light waves?

  Wavelength and medium
• What happens to waves when they diffract through an obstacle?

  They bend around it
• Order the features of a diffraction pattern from highest to lowest intensity.

  1️⃣ Central Maximum

  2️⃣ Secondary Maxima

  3️⃣ Minima
• Young's double-slit experiment uses two closely spaced slits to diffract and split a beam of light
• The spacing of bright bands in Young's double-slit experiment depends on the wavelength of light and the separation of the slits.


  True
• Lower frequency waves have longer wavelengths and diffract more than higher frequency waves.
• The short wavelengths of light make it suitable for optical instruments and holography.
• What is diffraction most noticeable when the wavelength of the wave is comparable to?

  The size of the obstacle
• What forms behind an obstacle when waves diffract through it?

  Shadow
• What does Young's double-slit experiment demonstrate?

  Interference of light waves
• Bright bands in Young's double-slit experiment appear due to constructive interference.
• Sound waves have longer wavelengths compared to light waves.
• Sound waves diffract more than light waves due to their longer wavelengths.


  True
• Light waves diffract less around obstacles compared to sound waves.


  True
• Light waves passing through a slit form a diffraction pattern.


  True
• Smaller apertures or longer wavelengths result in broader diffraction patterns.


  True
• Match the component of Young's double-slit experiment with its purpose:

  Light Source ↔️ Provides coherent light

  Double Slit ↔️ Diffracts and splits light

  Screen ↔️ Displays the interference pattern
• What does the wave equation v = fλ relate?

  Wave speed, frequency, and wavelength
• Why do sound waves diffract more around obstacles compared to light waves?

  Longer wavelengths
• A diffraction pattern is the distribution of wave intensity formed when waves spread after encountering obstacles or apertures.
• What two factors influence the characteristics of a diffraction pattern?

  Wavelength and aperture size
• Bright bands in Young's double-slit experiment appear due to constructive interference.
• Match the variable in the wave equation with its symbol and relevance to diffraction:

  Wave Speed ↔️ v, Constant for a given medium

  Frequency ↔️ f, Determines wavelength

  Wavelength ↔️ λ, Dictates degree of diffraction
• Sound waves diffracting around obstacles allow speakers to project sound effectively around corners.


  True