DIFFRACTION

DIFFRACTION

1. Spreading of waves around obstacles

   • Any bending of light by means other than reflection and refraction

2. Is a propety of all kinds of waves, including sound and light waves

   • Sharp shadows are not produced
   • Smaller openings produce greater diffraction

3. Takes place with sound with electromagnetic radiation

   • Such as light x-rays and gamma rays
     • And with small moving particles such as atoms, neutronS, and electrons

4. The phenomenon is the result of interference

   • Most pronunced when the wavelenght of the radiation is comparable to the linear dimensions of obstacles

5. EXAMPLES:

   • The rainbow pattern found on a CD/DVD
   • The setting sun appears to be red: Diffraction of light from dust particles in atmosphere
   • The rainbow pattern found on the hologram of a credit card

6. Size of object= wavelenght of light : diffraction blurs the image

   • size of object < wavelenght of light: no structure can be seen

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