Chapter1: Waves

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

1 Diffraction of waves is a phenomenon in which waves spread out as they pass through an aperture or round a small obstacle.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

2 The effect of diffraction is obvious only if (a) the size of the aperture or obstacle is small enough, (b) the wavelength is large enough.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

3 Characteristics of diffracted waves: (a) Frequency, wavelength and speed of waves do not change.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

3 Characteristics of diffracted waves: (b) Changes in the direction of propagation and the pattern of the waves.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

Experiment 1.6: to investigate the pattern of diffracted water waves (I) Fixed wavelength Problem statement What is the relationship between the size of the aperture or obstacle and the effects of diffraction of water waves?

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(I) Fixed wavelength Hypothesis If the size of the aperture is small enough, the diffractive effects on the water wave become obvious (visible).

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(I) Fixed wavelength Variables (a) Manipulated : Size of aperture or obstacle (b) Responding : Pattern of diffracted water waves (c) Fixed : Wavelength of water wave, frequency of dipper and its distance from the aperture or obstacle

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(I) Fixed wavelength Apparatus/Materials Ripple tank, metal bars, mechanical stroboscope and piece of white paper.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(I) Fixed wavelength Procedure 1 A ripple tank is filled with water and set up as shown in Figure 1.41.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(I) Fixed wavelength Procedure 2 Two pieces of metal bars are positioned to form a slit of width 10 cm at a distance of 5 cm from the vibrating wooden bar.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(I) Fixed wavelength Procedure 3 The dipper is switched on and the rheostat is adjusted so that the wooden bar produces plane waves with a wavelength of approximately 4 cm.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(I) Fixed wavelength Procedure 4 The pattern of the waves before and after passing the slit is observed and drawn.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(I) Fixed wavelength Procedure 5 Steps 2 to 4 are repeated with different widths for slits: 6

cm and 2 cm respectively.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(I) Fixed wavelength Procedure 6 The two pieces of metal bars are replaced with a single metal bar of length 10 cm placed centrally at a distance of 5 cm from the vibrating wooden bar.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(I) Fixed wavelength Procedure 7 Steps 3 and 4 are repeated with different lengths of metal bar: 6 cm and 2 cm respectively.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(I) Fixed wavelength Result
(I) Fixed wavelength (a) Small slit (b) Large slit (c) Large obstacle (d) Small obstacle

a, the effect of diffraction is very obvious.

< a, the effect of diffraction is not obvious.

The effect of diffraction is not obvious.

The effect of diffraction is obvious.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

Conclusion As the size of the aperture or obstacle decreases, the effect of diffraction becomes obvious. The hypothesis is accepted.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(II) Fixed size of aperture What is the relationship between the frequency of a water wave and the effects of diffraction?

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(II) Fixed size of aperture

Hypothesis The effects of diffraction of the water wave become more obvious as the frequency of the wave decreases.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(II) Fixed size of aperture Variables (a) Manipulated : Frequency of dipper (i.e. frequency of water wave) (b) Responding : Pattern of diffracted waves (c) Fixed : Size of slit and its distance from the dipper

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(II) Fixed size of aperture Procedure 1 A ripple tank is filled with water and set up as shown in Figure 1.41.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(II) Fixed size of aperture Procedure 2 Two pieces of metal bars are positioned to form a slit of 5 cm wide 5 cm away from the vibrating wooden bar.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(II) Fixed size of aperture Procedure 3 The vibrator is switched on. The frequency of the water wave is gradually rheostat.

increased by adjusting the

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(II) Fixed size of aperture Procedure 4 The patterns of the waves passing through the slit at different frequencies are observed and drawn.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(II) Fixed size of aperture Results/Discussion
(II) Fixed size of slit (a) Short < a, the effect of diffraction is not obvious. (b) Long a, the effect of diffraction is very obvious.

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

(II) Fixed size of aperture Conclusion The effect of diffraction of a water wave became obvious as the frequency of the wave decreases. The hypothesis is accepted

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

Example 9 In an experiment on the diffraction of water waves, a dipper with a frequency of 8 Hz produces waves with a wavelength of 2 cm. If the frequency of the dipper is 10 Hz what is the wavelength of the water waves produced?

1.4 Analysing Diffraction of Waves

Example 9 Solution Using the formula: v f where is constant (as the velocity of the wave is constant in a ripple tank of uniform depth).

Diffraction of Light
1 Light is diffracted if it passes through a narrow slit comparable in size to its wavelength. However, the effect is not obvious as the size of the slit increases. This is because the wavelengths of light are very short.

Diffraction of Light
2. Diffraction of light is hardly noticeable compared with diffraction of sound waves and water waves because the wavelength of light is very short (approximately 10-7 m).

Diffraction of Light
3. Observation: (a) Narrow slit

(b) Wider slit

Diffraction of Sound Waves

Experiment 1.7: To investigate the diffraction of sound waves Problem statement Can a person hear the sound of a radio which is hidden behind an obstacle?

Diffraction of Sound Waves

Hypothesis The person can hear the sound of the radio although it is behind an obstacle.

Diffraction of Sound Waves

Procedure 1 A radio is placed nearby a corner of a wall. 2 A student is requested to stand on the other side of the corner of the wall so that the radio is beyond his vision.

Diffraction of Sound Waves

Procedure 3 The radio is turned on and the student is requested to listen to the radio. 4 The position of the radio is changed and the effect on the sound of the radio is listened to.

Diffraction of Sound Waves

Results The student is able to hear the sound of the radio although it is behind the wall (beyond his vision).

Diffraction of Sound Waves

Discussion The sound of the radio spreads around the come the wall due to diffraction of sound.

Diffraction of Sound Waves

Conclusion The sound is able to spread around a space or an obstacle. The hypothesis is valid.