5.5 Diffraction

Question 1

What is diffraction?

Answer 1

The spreading of waves when it passes through a gap or round an obstacle

Question 2

When is there the most diffraction?

Answer 2

If the wavelength of the waves is about the same size as the gap or obstacle

Question 3

What is the relationship between the size of the gap and diffraction?

Answer 3

The narrower the gap, the more diffraction there will be

Question 4

Why don’t we often observe the diffraction of light during everyday life?

Answer 4

Because the wavelength of light is very short

Question 5

What type of wave carries TV signals?

Answer 5

Radio waves

Question 6

Why might people living in hilly areas receive poor TV signals?

Answer 6

If the radio waves carrying the TV signal don’t diffraction enough around the hills then the signals will be poor

Question 7

What sort of waves are diffracted?

Answer 7

All waves

Question 8

Name 2 properties of all waves

Answer 8

• diffraction

* refraction