GCSE Physics

Weak Diffraction

Diffraction is weaker when the gap is much larger than the wavelength of the waves. The central part of the waves are unaffected; only the edges of the waves diffract:
diffraction of plane waves passing through a large gap in a ripple tank
As always, the wavelength is the same on both sides - the wave speed is the same, so the wavelength is the same.


GCSE Physics  Go back a page  GCSE PhysicsWaves Menu GCSE PhysicsGo to next page