These secondary wavelets combine to form a new wavefront, which propagates in a different direction from the original wave. According to Huygens’ principle, every point on a wavefront acts as a source of secondary wavelets. The diffraction pattern can be observed as a series of bright and dark regions, known as interference fringes, on a screen or surface.ĭiffraction can be explained by considering the wave nature of light or sound. This causes the waves to bend and spread out, creating a pattern of interference and producing a characteristic diffraction pattern. When waves, such as light or sound waves, encounter an obstacle or a narrow opening, they undergo diffraction. It is a fundamental concept in physics and plays a crucial role in various fields, including optics, acoustics, and quantum mechanics. Key Takeaways Year Scientist Explanation 1818 Augustin-Jean Fresnel Provided a comprehensive explanation of diffraction Understanding the Phenomenon of Diffraction Definition of Diffractionĭiffraction is a phenomenon that occurs when waves encounter an obstacle or pass through an opening and spread out, deviating from their original path. Fresnel’s work laid the foundation for our understanding of diffraction and its applications in various fields. His theory proposed that light waves could be treated as transverse waves, and he used mathematical equations to describe how these waves diffract when encountering obstacles. Fresnel’s wave theory of light, which he developed to explain the behavior of light waves, successfully accounted for the phenomenon of diffraction. The French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel is credited with providing a comprehensive explanation of diffraction in 1818. The phenomenon of diffraction, which refers to the bending and spreading of waves around obstacles, was first explained in the early 19th century.
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