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By the end of this section, you will be able to:
  • Explain the phenomenon of diffraction and the conditions under which it is observed
  • Describe diffraction through a single slit

After passing through a narrow aperture (opening), a wave propagating in a specific direction tends to spread out. For example, sound waves that enter a room through an open door can be heard even if the listener is in a part of the room where the geometry of ray propagation dictates that there should only be silence. Similarly, ocean waves passing through an opening in a breakwater can spread throughout the bay inside. ( [link] ). The spreading and bending of sound and ocean waves are two examples of diffraction    , which is the bending of a wave around the edges of an opening or an obstacle—a phenomenon exhibited by all types of waves.

Photograph showing the top view of a breakwater near a beach. There is an opening in the breakwater allowing waves to enter.
Because of the diffraction of waves, ocean waves entering through an opening in a breakwater can spread throughout the bay. (credit: modification of map data from Google Earth)

The diffraction of sound waves is apparent to us because wavelengths in the audible region are approximately the same size as the objects they encounter, a condition that must be satisfied if diffraction effects are to be observed easily. Since the wavelengths of visible light range from approximately 390 to 770 nm, most objects do not diffract light significantly. However, situations do occur in which apertures are small enough that the diffraction of light is observable. For example, if you place your middle and index fingers close together and look through the opening at a light bulb, you can see a rather clear diffraction pattern, consisting of light and dark lines running parallel to your fingers.

Diffraction through a single slit

Light passing through a single slit forms a diffraction pattern somewhat different from those formed by double slits or diffraction gratings, which we discussed in the chapter on interference. [link] shows a single-slit diffraction pattern . Note that the central maximum is larger than maxima on either side and that the intensity decreases rapidly on either side. In contrast, a diffraction grating ( Diffraction Gratings ) produces evenly spaced lines that dim slowly on either side of the center.

Figure a shows a vertical line on the left side. This has a gap of length D. A vertical wave is shown on the right. The wave has a high crest in the center, corresponding to the slit. The wave attenuates on both top and bottom. An arrow along the central crest of the wave, pointing towards the slit is labeled intensity. Figure b shows a strip with horizontally marked light and dark lines. The central line, corresponding to the slit is the brightest.
Single-slit diffraction pattern. (a) Monochromatic light passing through a single slit has a central maximum and many smaller and dimmer maxima on either side. The central maximum is six times higher than shown. (b) The diagram shows the bright central maximum, and the dimmer and thinner maxima on either side.

The analysis of single-slit diffraction is illustrated in [link] . Here, the light arrives at the slit, illuminating it uniformly and is in phase across its width. We then consider light propagating onwards from different parts of the same slit. According to Huygens’s principle    , every part of the wave front in the slit emits wavelets, as we discussed in The Nature of Light . These are like rays that start out in phase and head in all directions. (Each ray is perpendicular to the wave front of a wavelet.) Assuming the screen is very far away compared with the size of the slit, rays heading toward a common destination are nearly parallel. When they travel straight ahead, as in part (a) of the figure, they remain in phase, and we observe a central maximum. However, when rays travel at an angle θ relative to the original direction of the beam, each ray travels a different distance to a common location, and they can arrive in or out of phase. In part (b), the ray from the bottom travels a distance of one wavelength λ farther than the ray from the top. Thus, a ray from the center travels a distance λ / 2 less than the one at the bottom edge of the slit, arrives out of phase, and interferes destructively. A ray from slightly above the center and one from slightly above the bottom also cancel one another. In fact, each ray from the slit interferes destructively with another ray. In other words, a pair-wise cancellation of all rays results in a dark minimum in intensity at this angle. By symmetry, another minimum occurs at the same angle to the right of the incident direction (toward the bottom of the figure) of the light.

Questions & Answers

what is force
Afework Reply
The different examples for collision
Afework
What is polarization and there are type
Muhammed Reply
Polarization is the process of transforming unpolarized light into polarized light. types of polarization 1. linear polarization. 2. circular polarization. 3. elliptical polarization.
Eze
Describe what you would see when looking at a body whose temperature is increased from 1000 K to 1,000,000 K
Aishwarya Reply
how is tan ninety minus an angle equals to cot an angle?
Niicommey Reply
please I don't understand all about this things going on here
Jeremiah Reply
What is torque?
Matthew Reply
In physics and mechanics, torque is the rotational equivalent of linear force. It is also referred to as the moment, moment of force, rotational force or turning effect, depending on the field of study.
Teka
Torque refers to the rotational force. i.e Torque = Force × radius.
Arun
Torque is the rotational equivalent of force . Specifically, it is a force exerted at a distance from an object's axis of rotation. In the same way that a force applied to an object will cause it to move linearly, a torque applied to an object will cause it to rotate around a pivot point.
Teka
Torque is the rotational equivalence of force . So, a net torque will cause an object to rotate with an angular acceleration. Because all rotational motions have an axis of rotation, a torque must be defined about a rotational axis. A torque is a force applied to a point on an object about the axis
Teka
When a missle is shot from one spaceship towards another, it leaves the first at 0.950c and approaches the other at 0.750c. what is the relative velocity of the two shipd
Marifel Reply
how to convert:m^3/s^2 all divided by kg to cm^3/s^2
Thibaza Reply
Is there any proof of existence of luminiferious aether ?
Zero Reply
mass conversion of 58.73kg =mg
Proactive Reply
is Space time fabric real
Godawari Reply
What's the relationship between the work function and the cut off frequency in the diagram above?
frankline Reply
due to the upthrust weight of the object varise with force in which the body fall into the water pendincular with the reflection of light with it
Gift
n=I/r
Gift
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falanga
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falanga
what is meant by fluctuated
Olasukanmi Reply
If n=cv then how v=cn? and if n=c/v then how v=cn?
Natanim
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Mbah Reply
what is electrolysis
Mbah
Electrolysis is the chemical decomposition of electrolyte either in molten state or solution to conduct electricity
Ayomide
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Ayesha Reply
can someone help explain why v2/c2 is =1/2 Using The Lorentz Transformation For Time Spacecraft S′ is on its way to Alpha Centauri when Spacecraft S passes it at relative speed c /2. The captain of S′ sends a radio signal that lasts 1.2 s according to that ship’s clock. Use the Lorentz transformati
Jennifer
Practice Key Terms 2

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Source:  OpenStax, University physics volume 3. OpenStax CNX. Nov 04, 2016 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col12067/1.4
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