Diffraction of Water Waves

Diffraction is often demonstrated with water waves in a ripple tank. A set of straight (or 'plane') waves passes through a gap in a barrier. Curved waves come out the other side:

The effect is greatest when the wavelength of the waves is similar in size to the gap or object size.

Notice that the wavelength is the same on both sides - spreading out does not alter the speed of the wave, so the wavelength is unchanged.

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