Diffraction (Noun)
Meaning
When light passes sharp edges or goes through narrow slits the rays are deflected and produce fringes of light and dark bands.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Examples
- Diffraction is responsible for the fringes of light and dark bands that appear when light passes through a narrow slit or around a sharp edge.
- In a typical experiment to demonstrate diffraction, a light source is passed through two narrow parallel slits to produce an interference pattern.
- The principles of diffraction were first demonstrated by Thomas Young in 1801 using his famous double-slit experiment.
- The colorful fringes seen on a CD or DVD are caused by diffraction as light reflects off the narrow tracks and gaps between them.
- By observing the pattern of light and dark bands caused by diffraction, scientists can determine the wavelength of light.