1. The document describes 4 sequences involving the diffraction of waves passing through slits in a ripple tank. The first two sequences show waves passing through a wide slit, with the second being automated. The third and fourth sequences show waves passing through a narrow slit around 1 wavelength wide, with the fourth again being automated.
2. Instructions are given for viewing the sequences in full screen mode using function keys. A photocopiable diagram from another source is also mentioned.
3. The objectives of demonstrating how waves are diffracted at a slit and how this depends on the slit width are outlined.
1. The document describes 4 sequences involving the diffraction of waves passing through slits in a ripple tank. The first two sequences show waves passing through a wide slit, with the second being automated. The third and fourth sequences show waves passing through a narrow slit around 1 wavelength wide, with the fourth again being automated.
2. Instructions are given for viewing the sequences in full screen mode using function keys. A photocopiable diagram from another source is also mentioned.
3. The objectives of demonstrating how waves are diffracted at a slit and how this depends on the slit width are outlined.
1. The document describes 4 sequences involving the diffraction of waves passing through slits in a ripple tank. The first two sequences show waves passing through a wide slit, with the second being automated. The third and fourth sequences show waves passing through a narrow slit around 1 wavelength wide, with the fourth again being automated.
2. Instructions are given for viewing the sequences in full screen mode using function keys. A photocopiable diagram from another source is also mentioned.
3. The objectives of demonstrating how waves are diffracted at a slit and how this depends on the slit width are outlined.
1. The document describes 4 sequences involving the diffraction of waves passing through slits in a ripple tank. The first two sequences show waves passing through a wide slit, with the second being automated. The third and fourth sequences show waves passing through a narrow slit around 1 wavelength wide, with the fourth again being automated.
2. Instructions are given for viewing the sequences in full screen mode using function keys. A photocopiable diagram from another source is also mentioned.
3. The objectives of demonstrating how waves are diffracted at a slit and how this depends on the slit width are outlined.
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Teacher’s Notes:
There are 4 main sequences in this set:
1. Wave-fronts (in a ripple tank), arriving at a slit and being (slightly) diffracted. It is shown one step at a time, as you click your mouse. You can talk it through, moving to the next step when you are ready. This should help to reduce misconceptions which often arise due to the difficulty of seeing what is happening in a ripple tank. 2. This is the same sequence, but now automated so that a single click starts it off, and the motion is now more evident.
3. Wave-fronts (in a ripple tank), arriving at a narrow slit and being
diffracted. The width of the slit is about 1 wavelength. 4. The same sequence, but now automated so that a single click starts it off, and the motion is now more evident.
Naturally it pays to have a quick practice-run first.
To start the slide-show in Full Screen mode, press Function key <F5>, or right-click and select Full Screen (to return to ‘normal view’ press the <Esc> key). There is a photocopiable sheet of the same diagram in the Physics for You Teacher Support Pack, page 247. Diffraction of waves 1 Learning Objectives You should learn:
• What happens when a plane wave passes
through a hole in a barrier • How this effect changes when the hole is made smaller. Diffraction at a wide slit Diffraction with a wide slit water in a ripple tank
barrier
with a wide slit
diffracted wave incident wave Diffraction with a wide slit water in a ripple tank
barrier
with a wide slit
diffracted wave incident wave Diffraction at a narrow slit Diffraction with a narrow slit water in a ripple tank
with a narrow slit
diffracted wave incident wave Diffraction with a narrow slit water in a ripple tank
with a narrow slit
diffracted wave incident wave Diffraction is most obvious when . . .
. . . the width of the hole . . .
. . . is about the same as the wavelength
incident wave Learning Outcomes You should now be able to:
• Explain what happens when a plane wave
passes through a slit in a barrier • Use the word ‘diffraction’ • Explain how the diffraction depends on the size of the hole. See Physics for You, page 169.
