$refraction and diffraction similarities$

The angle of the change in the direction of the wave is less than 90 degrees in one option and more than 90 degrees in the other option.ĭiffraction of light waves cannot reverse the direction in which the waves travel. The only options that are not ruled out are that diffraction is the change in the direction of a wave that passes close to an object. This means that a change in the wavelength of a light wave is not part of a correct definition of diffraction. Light can diffract while traveling in a medium with a constant refractive index. The wavelength of a light wave of a given frequency depends on the refractive index of the medium in which the light travels. This means that a change in the speed of a light wave is not part of a correct definition of diffraction. The speed at which a light wave moves depends on the refractive index of the medium in which the light travels. This means that the density of the medium in which a wave moves is not part of a correct definition of diffraction. Light waves changing direction when passing through an aperture is an example of diffraction.ĭiffraction will occur if the medium that the wave travels in on either side of the aperture and within the aperture is the same. Diffraction is the change in speed of a wave that passes through an aperture.Diffraction is the change in direction of a wave that passes close to an object and changes its direction by an angle greater than 90 degrees.Diffraction is the change in wavelength of a wave that passes through an aperture.Diffraction is the change in direction of a wave that passes from one medium into another with a different density.Diffraction is the change in direction of a wave that passes close to an object and changes its direction by an angle smaller than 90 degrees.Which of the following is a correct definition of diffraction? This is represented in the following figure. Diffraction also occurs when light waves travel parallel to a surface and reach the end of the surface.

$refraction and diffraction similarities$

The process of light waves changing direction without the waves being incident at a boundary between regions with different refractive indices is called diffraction.ĭiffraction does not only occur at gaps. In this case, though, the same substance occupies the space on either side of the gap and also within the gap. In both reflection and refraction, light waves must be incident at a boundary between regions containing substances with different refractive indices.

$refraction and diffraction similarities$ $refraction and diffraction similarities$

However, the phenomenon being described in this explainer is a separate phenomenon from reflection and to refraction. Light waves can change direction due to reflection and also due to refraction. It is important to understand that the change in the direction of the light waves is neither due to the waves being reflected from the boundary nor is it due to the the light waves being refracted. Waves that pass through the gap therefore change direction. We can see in this figure that these wave fronts become longer as they move away from the gap.

$refraction and diffraction similarities$

Refraction and diffraction similarities