Physics SL
Physics SL
5
Chapters
329
Notes
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme A - Space, Time & Motion
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme B - The Particulate Nature Of Matter
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Theme D - Fields
Theme D - Fields
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
Theme E - Nuclear & Quantum Physics
IB Resources
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Physics SL
Physics SL

Theme C - Wave Behaviour

Unlocking Diffraction: From Grimaldi's Observations To Modern Science

Word Count Emoji
640 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Diffraction in a nutshell 🥜

Diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles or spreading out as they pass through an opening. Think of it like when water ripples meet the edge of a rock; they flow around it!

Let's dive into the ripple tank 🏊

  • Wave Passing an Edge (Fig 15(a)): Waves pass the edge and form a 'quarter-circle' of new waves.
  • Obstacle in the Way (Fig 15(b)): When a wave hits an obstacle, it continues on either side and spreads behind it. Imagine it’s like a double version of the previous situation.

History blast from the past 🕰

  • Francesco Grimaldi
    • Italian priest.
    • One of the first to describe diffraction in 1665.
    • Noticed funky shadows behind a narrow rod. Instead of just a shadow, he saw light spread out with cool bright and dark fringes on the edges.
  • Bonus Fact: Leonardo da Vinci might’ve noticed this even before Grimaldi!

Diffraction vs. refraction - don’t get twisted! 🌀

  • Diffraction
    • Bending/spreading of waves around objects or openings.
    • Only the amplitude changes along the wave.
  • Refraction
    • Bending of waves due to a change in speed, which also changes its wavelength. Imagine a pencil in a glass of water – it looks bent, right? That’s refraction.
    • Only the wave frequency remains the same.

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IB Resources
Theme C - Wave Behaviour
Physics SL
Physics SL

Theme C - Wave Behaviour

Unlocking Diffraction: From Grimaldi's Observations To Modern Science

Word Count Emoji
640 words
Reading Time Emoji
4 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 5th Nov 2024

Table of content

Diffraction in a nutshell 🥜

Diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles or spreading out as they pass through an opening. Think of it like when water ripples meet the edge of a rock; they flow around it!

Let's dive into the ripple tank 🏊

  • Wave Passing an Edge (Fig 15(a)): Waves pass the edge and form a 'quarter-circle' of new waves.
  • Obstacle in the Way (Fig 15(b)): When a wave hits an obstacle, it continues on either side and spreads behind it. Imagine it’s like a double version of the previous situation.

History blast from the past 🕰

  • Francesco Grimaldi
    • Italian priest.
    • One of the first to describe diffraction in 1665.
    • Noticed funky shadows behind a narrow rod. Instead of just a shadow, he saw light spread out with cool bright and dark fringes on the edges.
  • Bonus Fact: Leonardo da Vinci might’ve noticed this even before Grimaldi!

Diffraction vs. refraction - don’t get twisted! 🌀

  • Diffraction
    • Bending/spreading of waves around objects or openings.
    • Only the amplitude changes along the wave.
  • Refraction
    • Bending of waves due to a change in speed, which also changes its wavelength. Imagine a pencil in a glass of water – it looks bent, right? That’s refraction.
    • Only the wave frequency remains the same.

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Physics SL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟

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