Can We See Around Corners? How Sound Travels Differently

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Sound can travel around corners due to diffraction, which allows longer wavelengths, like those of sound, to bend around obstacles. In contrast, light waves have shorter wavelengths and cannot diffract as effectively, preventing us from seeing around corners. The discussion highlights that diffraction depends on the relationship between the wavelength of the wave and the size of the obstacle. While sound waves can navigate around larger objects, light waves are significantly hindered by them. Understanding these principles clarifies why we can hear sounds from around corners but cannot see.
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Homework Statement



how come we can hear around corners but we can't see around corners?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


because the wall is obstructing the image?
 
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It's to do with diffraction of the wave around the object. What do you know about diffraction? What factors do diffraction depend upon?
 
Then why is that the wall obstructs the sound?
 
Diffraction by definition is the divergence of light from its initial line of travel.
But images can't diffract through walls, right? Diffraction depends on coherent sources of light waves from a monochromatic source. wrt the double slit ex. right?
 
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.
 
Happy 700, doc! Rockets, huh?
 
I never even noticed, but thanx, and no new ground here, humanity has a choice between well what we are doing and hedging bets,
 
It depends on the wavelenght, alonger wave like sounds "go over" lager objects.
 
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