3B.3 Diffraction Flashcards
what is diffraction
the spreading of wave energy through a gap or an obstacle
a shadow region in diffraction would form if
the obstecal is relitivly large
what does the diffraction around an obstacle depend on
the difference between the size of the wavelength and the size of the obstacle as if the obstacle is bigger more energy would be diffracted from the wave the smaller it is the less energy diffracted, and if the gap matches the frequency in transfers energy most efficiently
what is the maximum point in diffractions
the bright spots
what is the minimum point in diffraction
dark spots
why do the maxim spaces occur
that is because of the two diffracted waves being in phase in their superposition causing them to form bright spots
why do minimum points occur
that is because of the sum vector superposition of the two waves being completely out of phase
using a narrow slit would?
it will widen the central maximum as well as the rest of the maxima and the minima
how can we change the pattern we observe in diffraction
by changing the width of the diffraction slit
or the wavelength of the light
what is monochromatic
containing or using only one color, so only light of a single wavelength
what is a diffraction grafting
is a device that will cause multiple diffraction patterns and allow them to overlap, forming an interfering pattern with a mathematically well define spacing in between the dark and the bright spots
the patterns produced by each colour passing through the diffracting grating follows the equation
n wavelength = d sin angle
angle= the original direction of the wave and the direction of the bright spot
wavelength= the wavelength of the light
d= the spacing between the slits used
n= the order which is a bright spot from the central maximum
what is the grating spaces
the number of lines per meter
d= 1/number per meter
what is the number of the order from the central maximum
n = 0
