What happens during the process of diffraction?

What happens during the process of diffraction?

• A. Light waves pass through obstacles without bending
• B. Light waves continue in a straight line only
• C. Light waves bend around obstacles and openings
• D. Light waves are absorbed by obstacles

Answer: (C)

During the process of diffraction, light waves bend around obstacles and openings. This phenomenon occurs because when light encounters an edge or an aperture, it does not just continue in a straight line but instead spreads out and changes direction. This bending effect is more prominent when the size of the opening or obstacle is comparable to the wavelength of the light. Diffraction is a key principle that explains various optical behaviors, such as the patterns observed when light passes through a narrow slit, leading to the formation of interference patterns. Understanding diffraction is crucial in many applications, from the design of optical instruments to the analysis of light behavior in different materials. In context, while light can indeed be transmitted straight through a medium, that is not the case with diffraction, which fundamentally alters its path when interacting with obstacles. This display of bending or spreading is essential for the characterization of wave behavior in optics.

During the process of diffraction, light waves bend around obstacles and openings. This phenomenon occurs because when light encounters an edge or an aperture, it does not just continue in a straight line but instead spreads out and changes direction. This bending effect is more prominent when the size of the opening or obstacle is comparable to the wavelength of the light.

Diffraction is a key principle that explains various optical behaviors, such as the patterns observed when light passes through a narrow slit, leading to the formation of interference patterns. Understanding diffraction is crucial in many applications, from the design of optical instruments to the analysis of light behavior in different materials.

In context, while light can indeed be transmitted straight through a medium, that is not the case with diffraction, which fundamentally alters its path when interacting with obstacles. This display of bending or spreading is essential for the characterization of wave behavior in optics.