Why Can We Hear Around Corners But Not See Around Them?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the phenomenon of hearing around corners compared to seeing around corners, exploring the underlying principles of wave behavior, specifically diffraction, in sound and light. The scope includes theoretical explanations and comparisons of wave properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that diffraction is the key factor that allows sound waves to bend around obstacles, while light waves do not exhibit the same behavior due to their shorter wavelengths.
  • It is noted that sound waves typically have wavelengths on the order of a few meters, which allows them to diffract around corners, whereas visible light has a wavelength of about 400 nanometers, making it less capable of diffraction in everyday scenarios.
  • One participant mentions that electromagnetic radiation with longer wavelengths, such as radio waves, can also diffract and thus can be perceived around corners.
  • Another point raised is that sound sources often emit sound radially, contributing to the ability to hear around corners, while light sources tend to be more directional or beam-like.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the role of wavelength and diffraction in explaining the differences between hearing and seeing around corners, but there are nuances in the explanations and emphasis on different aspects of wave behavior.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on specific definitions of diffraction and the conditions under which it is observed, as well as the potential for varying interpretations of wave behavior in different contexts.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in wave phenomena, sound and light properties, and the principles of diffraction may find this discussion relevant.

harhar
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If light is a wave then how come we can hear around a corner but not see around a corner?
 
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harhar said:
If light is a wave then how come we can hear around a corner but not see around a corner?

Diffraction is the key. This occurs when a wave passes through a gap OF A SIMILAR SIZE to the wavelength concerned. Sound waves diffract around doorways (similar size wave), but light doesn't as it has a wavelength of only a few hundred nanometers.
 
harhar said:
If light is a wave then how come we can hear around a corner but not see around a corner?

Because the typical wavelength of visible light is waaaaaaay shorter than the typical wavelength of sound. It does mean that if you have EM radiation that has long wavelengths, it can go "around a corner", and voila, you have radio waves!

Zz.
 
The wavelength is sound is typically a few meters, long enough to bend around obstacles such as doors and hallways. Also, many sound sources emit sound more or less radially (in all directions).

Light sources are more often more beam-like and the wavelength of visible light is about 400 nanometers. You won't notice diffraction (the 'bending' of waves around corners) unless the obstacles have about the same dimensions as the wavelength. That's why we usually don't notice it, but if light passes through a small slit it does 'bend' and we can 'see around a corner'.
 

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