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Part 4: Analyzing Diffraction of Waves

Diffraction – waves spread out as they pass through

an aperture or round a small obstacle
 The effect of diffraction is obvious only if:
 The size of the obstacle is small enough,
 The wavelength is large enough.
 Characteristics of diffracted waves
 Frequency, wavelength and speed of waves do
not change,
 There is a change in direction and the pattern
of the waves.
 Diffraction
Fixed size of slit (waves of low frequency )
λ

At a lower frequency, the wavelength of the water

wave is long. Since, λ ≥ a, the effect of diffraction is
very obvious
 Diffraction
Fixed size of slit (waves of high frequency )

At a higher frequency, the wavelength of the water

wave is short. If λ ˂ a, the effect of diffraction is not
obvious
 Diffraction
Fixed wavelength (large slit)
λ

If λ ˂ a, the effect of diffraction is not obvious. The

waves are bent only at the edges after passing the slit
 Diffraction
Fixed wavelength (small slit)
λ

If λ ≥ a, the effect of diffraction is very obvious. The

waves are circular and appear to originate from the
small slit.
 Diffraction
Fixed wavelength (large obstacle)
λ

The effect of diffraction is not noticeable

 Diffraction
Fixed wavelength (small obstacle)
λ

The effect of diffraction is obvious. The waves

recombine after passing the small obstacle.
 Light Diffraction

 The diffraction effect is not noticeable if the size

of the slit and hole increases.
 The diffraction effect is most obvious as the size of
slit or hole is similar to that of the wavelength.
 Diffraction of Sound Waves (AM and FM Radio Waves)

 Diffraction, or the bending of sound waves around

an obstacle, can occur both at the top of the barrier
and around the ends.
 Due to the nature of sound waves, diffraction does
not bend all frequencies uniformly.
 Higher frequencies (shorter wavelengths) are
diffracted lesser
 Lower frequencies (longer wavelengths) are
diffracted more into the "shadow" zone behind the
barrier.
 Thus, houses over hills will get reception of long
wave radio instead of TV and FM radio
Why we can often hear people even when we can’t see them?

 Sound has a much longer

wavelength than light.
 Sound waves can even
diffract around buildings
or through doorways.
 This is why you can often
hear people even when
you can't see them.
 Sound waves are
diffracted as they leave
their source, for instance
a loud speaker.
 Size of the source will affect how much
diffraction occurs.

 The street cleaner can still hear the sound from the
radio even though it is beyond his vision.
 This is possible due to diffraction of sound at the
edge of the walls.
 Diffraction of Water Waves

 Tough concrete wall are built close to the harbour

to protect the ship from ruined due to strong
waves and built in front of the bay where the waves
are calmer.
 Diffraction of Water Waves

 Smaller amplitude and longer wavelength

 Gap between the wall barriers to reflect some of
the waves and the waves that passes through only
carry small portion of energy