
Diffraction - Wikipedia
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 | Definition, Examples, Types, & Facts | Britannica
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 …
Diffraction: Definition, Physics, Equation, and Formula
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 …
17.1 Understanding Diffraction and Interference - OpenStax
The bending of a wave around the edges of an opening or an obstacle is called diffraction. Diffraction is a wave characteristic that occurs for all types of waves. If diffraction is observed …
What Is Diffraction? The Physics of Spreading Waves
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.
26.2: Diffraction - Physics LibreTexts
As we explained in the previous paragraph, diffraction is defined as the bending of a wave around the edges of an opening or an obstacle. The double-slit experiment, also called Young’s …
What is diffraction in physics? - California Learning Resource …
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 …
Diffraction Explained | Wave, Interference & Patterns
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 …
Diffraction of Light - Olympus
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 Explained: Definition, Examples, Practice & Video …
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 than the …