Diffraction
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phydotsiDiffraction
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phydotsiDiffraction GCSE P1
Why can we hear sound round a corner, but not see light?
All waves spread out when they pass through a gap. This is diffraction.
We can hear this happening when we hear
sounds round a corner.
We see it happening when we see a
shadow: the edges of shadows are blurred
due to diffraction.
So why can’t we see light round a corner?
This is because diffraction occurs most when the size of the gap is roughly the same as the
wavelength of the wave being diffracted (see below).
Humans can hear sounds of frequencies from about 20 Hz to 20 000 Hz. If speed travels at
300 m/s, what wavelengths are these sounds?
1) = 20
2) = 20 000
Human can only see light of wavelengths from about 400 to 700 nm:
ℎ
→ ≈ 400 = 0.0000004
ℎ → ≈ 700 = 0.0000007
This is much smaller than everyday gaps, so light does not diffract significantly (although it
still does a little bit).
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Diffraction GCSE P1
1) A wave approaches a barrier. This could be a water wave, sound or any other wave.
2) Lots of things then happen: some of the wave is reflected; some is transmitted
unaffected; some of the reflected wave is diffracted; some of the transmitted wave is
diffracted.
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