Copyright © 2003 Nelson Chapter 9 Waves and Light 303

Instructional Master

Diffraction of Water Waves

LSM 9.2-2

short wavelengths long wavelengths(b) (c)

incident waves incident wavesincident waves nearlystraight-linepropagation

large opening small opening shorter wavelength,no change in opening

(a) (b) (c)

The relationship between wavelength and amount of diffraction:

The relationship between the size of the aperture or opening and the amount of diffraction: