Diffraction is the deviation of waves from straight-line propagation without any change in their energy due to an obstacle or through an aperture.

Diffraction, the spreading of waves around obstacles. Diffraction takes place with sound; with electromagnetic radiation, such as light, X-rays, and gamma rays; and with very small moving …

Nov 17, 2022 · Diffraction is the bending or spreading of light waves around an obstacle. The obstacle can be an aperture or slit whose size is approximately the same as the wavelength of …

This free textbook is an OpenStax resource written to increase student access to high-quality, peer-reviewed learning materials.

May 27, 2025 · Diffraction is the phenomenon where waves bend, spread, or interfere when they encounter an obstacle or pass through a narrow opening. The effect is subtle yet profound.

Diffraction can send a wave around the edges of an opening or other obstacle. A single slit produces an interference pattern characterized by a broad central maximum with narrower and …

Jul 2, 2025 · Fraunhofer diffraction is commonly observed in applications involving lenses and telescopes, where focusing elements effectively bring the observation point to infinity. The …

May 28, 2024 · Diffraction is a fundamental concept in the study of waves and optics that describes how waves bend around obstacles and spread out as they pass through narrow …

We classically think of light as always traveling in straight lines, but when light waves pass near a barrier they tend to bend around that barrier and become spread out. The definition of …

Diffraction is the phenomenon where light waves spread out after passing through a small slit or around an obstacle. It occurs when the width of the slit is comparable to or smaller …