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.