diffraktioilmiö

Diffraktioilmiö, or diffraction, is a phenomenon that occurs when a wave encounters an obstacle or opening. It describes the bending of waves as they pass around the edges of an obstruction or spread out after passing through a narrow slit. This bending causes the wave to deviate from its original straight-line path.

Diffraction is a characteristic property of all types of waves, including light waves, sound waves, and water waves. The extent of diffraction depends on the wavelength of the wave and the size of the obstacle or opening. When the wavelength is comparable to or larger than the size of the obstacle or opening, diffraction effects are more pronounced. Conversely, if the wavelength is much smaller than the size of the obstacle, diffraction is negligible.

A common example of diffraction is observed when light passes through a narrow slit. Instead of a single sharp line on a screen behind the slit, a pattern of bright and dark fringes is observed. This pattern arises from the interference of the diffracted waves. Similarly, sound waves diffract around corners, which is why we can hear someone speaking from around a corner even if we cannot see them.

The study of diffraction has been crucial in understanding the wave nature of light and has led to numerous technological applications, such as in spectroscopy, holography, and the design of optical instruments. It provides strong evidence for the wave model of light, complementing phenomena like interference.