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* IGCSE Physics Waves * Lesson 5 – Diffraction and the wave equation Aims: To recall and use the relationship between the speed, frequency and wavelength of a wave: wave speed = frequency × wavelength, v = f × λ To understand that waves can be diffracted through gaps or when they pass an edge, and that the extent of diffraction depends on the wavelength and the physical dimension of the gap. * The ripple tank A ripple tank is a device used to study the behaviour of waves, because all waves behave in a similar manner. A ripple tank produces water waves that can be reflected, refracted and diffracted. paddle vibrates to produce waves * Reflection and refraction paddle What do you think will happen if a barrier is placed in front of the water waves? If it is a plane barrier then the waves are reflected. barrier What do you think will happen if a block is submerged in the ripple tank? The change in depth of the water causes a change in speed of the waves – they are refracted. * Barrier with large gap What will happen if the width of the gap in the barrier is larger than the wavelength of the waves? The waves pass through the gap unchanged apart from slight diffraction of the waves near their ends. * Diffraction through a big gap Shadow zone Shadow zone We often imagine that waves passing through a big gap will behave like this. * Diffraction occurs at edges In reality the waves curve slightly when they pass the edges of the gap. * Barrier with wavelength-sized gap What will happen if the width of the gap in the barrier is similar in width to the wavelength of the waves? Circular waves are produced. This effect is known as diffraction. Diffraction Diffraction is the bending of waves as they pass through a gap or past an edge When a wave (front) is Incident on an edge or an obstacle/slit/gap Wave ‘bends’ into the geometrical shadow/changes direction/spreads Diffraction effects are most obvious when the object or aperture causing the diffraction is similar in si