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AlanPartr
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I was wondering if anyone knew why light (or any other particles) diffracts when it goes through an aperture?
Originally posted by AlanPartr
I was wondering if anyone knew why light (or any other particles) diffracts when it goes through an aperture?
Originally posted by Chi Meson
THe quantum explanation is currently the best explanation, and for that you would need to read Feynman's "QED" (it's a thin book that takes a long time to read). BUt before reading this book, you need a full-year of introduction to physics
Originally posted by Ambitwistor
I don't want to scare Alan off ... Feynman's book was based off of lectures intended for laymen, and I think you can absorb a great deal from it without prior exposure to physics or vectors.
Light diffracts because it behaves as a wave. When light encounters an obstacle or passes through a narrow opening, it bends around the edges and spreads out, which is known as diffraction.
The diffraction of light is caused by the wave-like properties of light. When light passes through an opening or encounters an obstacle, it spreads out and bends around the edges due to interference between the different parts of the light wave.
The wavelength of light has a direct impact on the amount of diffraction that occurs. The smaller the wavelength of light, the less it diffracts, while longer wavelengths diffract more. This is why we see more diffraction with red light compared to blue light, as red light has a longer wavelength.
Yes, diffraction can be observed with all types of light, including visible light, UV light, and infrared light. However, the amount of diffraction may vary depending on the wavelength of light.
Diffraction is used in a variety of real-world applications, such as in optical lenses, to create holograms, and in the production of CDs and DVDs. It is also used in scientific experiments, such as X-ray crystallography, to study the structure of molecules.