Diffraction and Interference

Question 1

Diffraction:

Answer 1

The bending of a wave as they pass the edge of an obstacle or through an aperture(a gap in a barrier)

The amount of diffraction that occurs depends on the wavelength of the wave and the width of the object or aperture. Waves with relatively low wavelengths diffract very little, waves with approximately equal or relatively high wavelengths diffract significantly.

Question 2

Superposition:

Answer 2

It is possible for two waves to be in the same region of space/ a medium at the same time. When this occurs the resulting wave is the sum of the individual waves. This is superposition principle.

Question 3

Interference:

Answer 3

Two waves can either reinforce each other, resulting in a wave of higher amplitude(constructive interference), or counteract each other resulting in a wave of lower amplitude (destructive interference).

With transverse waves, the two waves can push particles in the same direction(constructive) or opposite directions(destructive).

With longitudinal wave, the two waves can compress the same parts of the medium(constructive) or compress each other’s rarefactions(destructive).

Question 4

Resonance

Answer 4

All objects that can oscillate tend to do so at a specific frequency known as their natural frequency or resonant frequency.

Resonance is when a object is exposed to vibrations at a frequency equal to their resonant frequency. The vibration from one object causes a strong vibration in another. If the amplitude of the vibrations become too great, the object can be destroyed.

It will only occur when the driving frequency matches the natural frequency.

The amplitude of the resonating object’s oscillations will increase dramatically.

The maximum possible energy from the driving frequency source is transferred to the object.