Diffraction
Definition
Diffraction is the bending or spreading of waves around obstacles or through narrow openings.
Analogy
Imagine throwing a pebble into a calm pond. The ripples that spread out from where the pebble landed are like diffraction, as they bend and spread out when they encounter objects in their path.
Related terms
Interference: When two or more waves combine to form a new wave, resulting in either reinforcement (constructive interference) or cancellation (destructive interference).
Huygens' Principle: A principle that states every point on a wavefront can be considered as a source of secondary spherical wavelets that spread out in all directions.
Single-Slit Diffraction: The phenomenon where light passing through a single slit spreads out and creates an interference pattern.
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