Diffraction And Refraction

Question 0

What does amount of diffraction depend on?

Answer 0

Size of gap relative to wavelength

Narrower gap or longer wavelength = more wave spreads out

Question 1

What is diffraction?

Answer 1

Waves spreading out at the edges as they pass through a gap or pass an object

Question 2

Explain how you can hear through a small gap in door but not see?

Answer 2

Size of gap and sound wave are roughly equal, sound wave diffracts around the room
Gap is million times bigger than light wave so doesn’t diffract

Question 3

What is refraction?

Answer 3

Changing speed of a wave to change its direction

Question 4

What happens when a wave travels through a change in substance?

Answer 4

It changes speed - refraction

Question 5

Describe what happens when light hits a window face on an at an angle.

Answer 5

When it hits straight on the wavelength shortens as it is slowed down but has same frequency
When it hits at an angle, part of it hits the denser part first and slows, changing the direction and causing refraction