Diffraction: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
diffraction
[ dษชหfrรฆkสษn ]
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:
๐ต๐น difraรงรฃo
๐ฎ๐ณ เคตเคฟเคเฅเคทเฅเคชเคฃ
๐ฉ๐ช Beugung
๐ฎ๐ฉ difraksi
๐บ๐ฆ ะดะธััะฐะบััั
๐ต๐ฑ dyfrakcja
๐ฏ๐ต ๅๆ (ใใใใค)
๐ซ๐ท diffraction
๐ช๐ธ difracciรณn
๐น๐ท difraksiyon
๐ฐ๐ท ํ์ (ํ์ )
๐ธ๐ฆ ุญููุฏ
๐จ๐ฟ difrakce
๐ธ๐ฐ difrakcia
๐จ๐ณ ่กๅฐ (yวnshรจ)
๐ธ๐ฎ difrakcija
๐ฎ๐ธ dreifing
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะดะธััะฐะบัะธั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแคแ แแฅแชแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ difraksiya
๐ฒ๐ฝ difracciรณn
Word origin
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.