seeing through walls

[aquabum619]

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

how come we can hear around corners but we cant see around corners?

2. Relevant equations



3. The attempt at a solution
because the wall is obstructing the image?

[cristo]

It's to do with diffraction of the wave around the object. What do you know about diffraction? What factors do diffraction depend upon?

[neutrino]

Then why is that the wall obstructs the sound?

[aquabum619]

Diffraction by definition is the divergence of light from its initial line of travel.
But images cant diffract through walls, right? Diffraction depends on coherent sources of light waves from a monochromatic source. wrt the double slit ex. right?

[denverdoc]

Much more general than that. If the wavelength is anywhere close to the obstaces dimensions it will move around it, while small wavelengths are a bb on a brickwall, long wavelengths more like a a blob of jello which will peek around corners.

[Dick]

Happy 700, doc! Rockets, huh?

[denverdoc]

I never even noticed, but thanx, and no new ground here, humanity has a choice between well what we are doing and hedging bets,

[MattiasL]

It depends on the wavelenght, alonger wave like sounds "go over" lager objects.