Diffraction is the deviation from a straight path that occurs when a wave such as light or sound passes around an obstacle or through an opening. The importance of diffraction in any particular situation depends on the relative size of the obstacle or...

It is commonly thought that light travels in a straight line. In fact, light is a wave, and, like all waves, it can be made to bend around corners and obstacles. This bending of light is called diffraction. Diffraction is a phenomenon found in all...

Spreading of waves around obstacles. It occurs with water waves, sound, electromagnetic waves (&see; electromagnetic radiation), and small moving particles such as atoms, neutrons, and electrons, which show wavelike properties. When a beam of light...

Alteration in the otherwise normal path of an electromagnetic wave, such as a wave of light or acoustic wave, caused by the contact or influence of an obstacle. A diffracted light wave can either be deviated from its course (such as by passing at an...

Diffraction refers to various phenomena associated with the bending of waves when they interact with obstacles in their path. It occurs with any type of wave, including sound waves, water waves, and electromagnetic waves such as visible light, x-rays...