When a wave passes from one medium to another at any angle except 90° and 0°, its line of travel changes at the interface due to the change in velocity of the wave. Intensity of the fringes decreases as we move along either side of the central maxima. The central bright fringe has the maximum intensity and width. When light waves are diffracted by a single slit, the result is a diffraction pattern with bright and dark fringes. Generally, diffraction effects are most pronounced when the dimensions of the obstacle nearly agrees with the wavelength of the wave. Also, when light waves travel through media with different refractive indices or when sound waves travel through the medium of different acoustic impedances, diffraction effects can be observed. Diffraction of waves results in a dark and bright fringe pattern identified as “diffraction pattern”. Such deviation of the wave from its initial straight-line path is called diffraction. Waves bend around small obstacles and spreads out at small openings in entering into a region that would otherwise be shadowed. Using a ripple tank we can observe how the water waves bend when it encounters an obstacle. That happens due to the refraction of light waves. For instance, if we put a straw in to a glass of water, it appears to be broken. They sound similar, as both represent some sort of bending of waves. So the next time you witness an intriguing wave behavior, you’ll likely understand the science that makes it possible.Diffraction and refraction are both wave properties.
This foundational knowledge not only enhances our appreciation for everyday occurrences but also paves the way for technological advancements in various fields. Whether it’s the science behind a rainbow, the echo in a hall, or why you can hear a conversation from around a corner, these fundamental concepts illuminate the mechanics at play. We’ve explored how waves bend, bounce, and spread, detailing each phenomenon with practical examples. In summary, understanding how reflection, refraction, and diffraction occur in waves provides valuable insights into the world around us. This knowledge has a wide range of applications, from engineering to medicine, and can be seen in various phenomena around us. Understanding diffraction adds another layer to our comprehension of how waves interact with their environment. Techniques like X-ray crystallography rely on the diffraction of X-rays through biological tissues or crystal structures to create images. Further technological applications occur in medical imaging. This phenomenon can be easily observed in a variety of optical experiments, like Young’s double-slit experiment. In light waves, when light passes through a narrow slit, it spreads out on the other side. Have you ever noticed how you can still get a radio signal inside a building or among tall structures? That is also thanks to the diffraction of radio waves around obstacles. This is because sound waves diffract or bend around corners. If you stand around the corner from a marching band, you can still hear the music even though you’re not in a direct line of sight. One example you might be familiar with is sound moving around a corner. Their frequencies are much higher than those of sound, and they are part of the electromagnetic spectrum which includes other wave types like radio waves and X-rays.
Check out our post on sound waves for an in-depth review. They have frequencies within the human audible range (approx. Sound Waves: These are mechanical and longitudinal waves that propagate through air, water, or solids.Two common examples that are often studied to understand wave behavior are sound and light waves. Sound is an example of a longitudinal wave. Longitudinal Waves: The particles in the medium move in the same direction as the wave.Transverse Waves: In these waves, the particles in the medium move at right angles to the direction of wave propagation.Light, X-rays, and radio waves are examples. Electromagnetic Waves: These waves do not require a medium and can travel through a vacuum.Examples include sound waves and water waves. Mechanical Waves: These waves require a medium (like air, water, or a solid substance) to move through.
Here are some basic categorizations of types of waves and how they propagate: The classification of waves primarily depends on how they move and what medium they require for propagation. In simpler terms, waves are a way for energy to move through materials or even in a vacuum (as in the case of light waves). Waves are disturbances that propagate through a medium or space, transporting energy from one point to another without causing a permanent displacement of the medium itself.