• Diffraction is

spreading of waves
that happens when
it passes through a
narrow opening or
when it passes
round a small
obstacle along it's
path.
After diffraction,
Frequency
Wavelength Remain unchanged
Speed

Amplitude - Decrease
Shorter wavelength - The wave Longer wavelength - The wave
spreads to a smaller area spreads to a wider area

Conclusion:
Diffraction is affected by the wavelength. The longer the
wavelength, the greater the effect of diffraction
Bigger opening - The wave Smaller opening - The wave
spreads to a smaller area spreads to a wider area

Conclusion:
Diffraction is affected by the size of the opening. The smaller
the size of the opening, the greater the effect of diffraction
Pin Hole Experiment

The light spread after passing

the pin hole.

Pin hole experiment

1.Light is diffracted when passes through a pin hole.

2.Diffraction pattern is made up of alternate bright and dark ring.

Single Slit Experiment

The light spread after passing

the slit.
Single slit experiment

1.Light is diffracted if it passes through a narrow slit.

2.Diffraction pattern is made up of the bright bands and dark bands of
different width.
3.The central band is wider and brighter. The dark and bright bands of
narrower width are alternatively observed on the left and right side of the
central bight band.
4.Diffraction pattern obtained will be clearer if the size of the slit
decreases.
5.Conditions for diffraction to take place are:
a.Light source must be monochromatic. That is, the light must possess
only one wavelength.
b.Slit size must be small enough as compare with the wavelength of light.
Factors affecting the pattern of diffraction
The factors that will affect the distance between the bright bands are
a.Size of the slit
b.Colour of the light
c.Distance of the screen from the slit

Experiment 1
Effect of the size of slit on diffraction pattern

Conclusion:
The smaller the size of the slit, the greater the effect of diffraction.
Experiment 2
Effect of the colour of light on diffraction pattern

Conclusion:
The longer the wavelength, the greater the effect of diffraction.
(Red light has longer wavelength while purple light has shortest wavelength.)

Experiment 3
Effect of the distance of the screen from the slit on diffraction pattern

Conclusion:
The further the screen from the slit, the further the distance between bright
bands formed on the screen.
Observation

The street cleaner can hear the sound of the radio even though it is behind
an obstacle.

Explanation

The sound of the radio spreads around the corner of the wall due to
diffraction of sound wave.