What is the principle of wave diffraction?

The principle of wave diffraction states that waves can bend around obstacles and spread out.

When a wave encounters an obstacle or passes through a narrow opening, it can bend and spread out in all directions. This phenomenon is known as diffraction. The amount of diffraction that occurs depends on the wavelength of the wave and the size of the obstacle or opening.

If the obstacle is much larger than the wavelength of the wave, then the wave will simply reflect off the obstacle and continue in its original direction. However, if the obstacle is comparable in size to the wavelength, then the wave will diffract around the obstacle and spread out in all directions.

Similarly, if a wave passes through a narrow opening, it will diffract and spread out on the other side. This is why sound waves can be heard around corners and why radio waves can penetrate through walls.

Diffraction is an important concept in physics and has many practical applications. For example, it is used in the design of acoustic barriers to reduce noise pollution, and in the construction of diffraction gratings for use in spectroscopy and other optical applications.