Diffraction: meaning, definitions and examples

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diffraction

 

[ dษชหˆfrรฆkสƒษ™n ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

wave behavior

Diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles and the spreading out of waves through openings. It occurs with all types of waves, including sound waves, light waves, and water waves. The degree of diffraction depends on the size of the obstacle or opening relative to the wavelength of the wave.

Synonyms

bending, scattering, spreading.

Examples of usage

  • The diffraction of light creates beautiful patterns in a prism.
  • Sound diffraction allows us to hear conversations around corners.
  • The phenomenon of diffraction can be observed with water waves at a harbor.
  • Diffraction patterns can be analyzed to determine the wavelength of light.

Translations

Translations of the word "diffraction" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น difraรงรฃo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคตเคฟเค•เฅเคทเฅ‡เคชเคฃ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Beugung

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ difraksi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดะธั„ั€ะฐะบั†ั–ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ dyfrakcja

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅ›žๆŠ˜ (ใ‹ใ„ใ›ใค)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท diffraction

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ difracciรณn

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท difraksiyon

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํšŒ์ ˆ (ํšŒ์ ˆ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุญูŠูˆุฏ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ difrakce

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ difrakcia

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่กๅฐ„ (yวŽnshรจ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ difrakcija

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ dreifing

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะดะธั„ั€ะฐะบั†ะธั

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒ˜แƒคแƒ แƒแƒฅแƒชแƒ˜แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ difraksiya

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ difracciรณn

Etymology

The term 'diffraction' comes from the Latin word 'diffractio', which means 'breaking into pieces' or 'shattering'. It was first used in the context of wave behavior in the 19th century when scientists were starting to understand light and its properties. The phenomenon of diffraction is essential in various scientific fields, especially in optics and acoustics. It was famously studied by Thomas Young in his double-slit experiment, which demonstrated that light behaves as a wave. The understanding of diffraction has evolved and expanded with advancements in technology and science, now encompassing a wide range of applications, from engineering to the development of new materials.

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,487 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.