Diffraction Patterns

[Grace Boyd 2F]

Hi, I was wondering what causes a diffraction pattern? Could someone explain how they come about? Thanks!

[Vivian Nguyen]

Diffraction patterns are made by things with wave-like properties such as light, water, electrons, neutrons etc. It occurs because the waves interact with each other and it creates patterns of high and low intensity through constructive and destructive interference. Figure 1.19 on page 15 in the textbook is a great visual

Good luck on the midterm!

[Minie 1G]

When waves run into each other they either contructively build or destructively become weaker. So when we measure "how much" wave we get at each location, we get a diffraction pattern that shows where waves added up and where they canceled out.

The following gif representation of how diffraction patterns arise! Sending one wave through two slits:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... ectrum.gif