DIFFRACTION Meaning and
Definition
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Diffraction refers to the bending or spreading out of waves as they encounter an obstacle or pass through an opening. It is a phenomenon that primarily occurs with waves such as sound, light, or water waves. When waves encounter an obstruction or a gap in their path, they do not simply stop or travel in a straight line. Instead, they undergo diffraction, causing them to bend, change direction, and spread out.
Diffraction can be observed when light passes through a narrow slit or when sound waves encounter a corner or an edge. As the waves encounter the obstacle or opening, they interact with it, causing them to change direction and spread out into the regions that would otherwise be in shadow or darkness. This phenomenon is due to the wave nature of these particles, as they exhibit both particle-like and wave-like characteristics.
The amount of diffraction experienced by waves is influenced by several factors including the wavelength of the wave and the size of the opening compared to the wavelength of the wave. The narrower the slit or the smaller the opening, the more pronounced the diffraction pattern will be. Diffraction patterns can reveal information about the size and properties of the obstacles or openings encountered by the waves.
In summary, diffraction refers to the bending, spreading, and changing of direction of waves as they encounter obstacles or pass through openings. It is a fundamental characteristic of waves and can be observed with various wave types, such as light and sound.
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The deflection of the rays of light in passing by the edge of an opaque body.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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In optics, the turning aside of rays of light which pass very near the boundaries of an opaque body.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of DIFFRACTION
The word "diffraction" originated from the Latin word "diffractus", which is the past participle of the verb "diffringere". "Diffringere" is a combination of the prefix "dis-" meaning "apart" or "in different directions", and the verb "frangere" meaning "to break". Hence, "diffringere" can be translated as "to break apart" or "to shatter". The term "diffraction" was first used in the context of light and optics by the English physicist Thomas Young in the early 19th century, to describe the bending or deviation of light as it encounters an obstacle or passes through a narrow slit.
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