8 SuperpositionAS Level

8.2 Diffraction

2 of 2 objectives have lessons · 0 studied · 0 secure

Lessons

What diffraction actually isWaves spread out when they pass a gap or an edge. That is diffraction, it happens for every wave, and it leaves the wavelength untouched. 6 min, not started
Gap width, wavelength and how much waves spreadA wide gap barely spreads a wave; a gap about one wavelength wide spreads it into semicircles. Learn the three cases and the ripple-tank experiment. 7 min, not started

Syllabus objectives

2 objectives

What Cambridge says you should be able to do, in our words. Codes are the topic number plus the objective’s position.

8.2.1

Explain what is meant by diffraction.

Taught in: What diffraction actually is · 5 questions

8.2.2

Show an understanding of experiments demonstrating diffraction, including, qualitatively, how the gap width compared with the wavelength affects the diffraction.

One example is the diffraction of water waves in a ripple tank.

Taught in: Gap width, wavelength and how much waves spread · 6 questions