(5.2.3) Diffraction

Question 1

What happens when a wave hits an object and is diffracted?

Answer 1

The energy spreads into the space behind the object or goes around the object if its small enough. If the object is large then there will be a shadow region.

Question 2

What does the amount of diffraction rely on?

Answer 2

Size of wave length and size of obstacle

Question 3

What is a diffraction grating?

Answer 3

A device that causes multiple diffraction patterns

Question 4

What is the diffraction grating equation?

Answer 4

nλ = dsin(o) where n is the order d is the spacing between slits on the grating and o is the angle to the normal