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TBR p.265-266 Physics II states: "When the opening is much larger than the wavelength, the wave doesn't distort much; when the opening is smaller than the wavelength or is of comparable size, the wave spreads out noticeably...The general relation is this: diffraction is more significant when the wavelength is smaller than or comparable to the opening the wave crosses; diffraction is less significant (or neglible) when the wavelength is much smaller than the opening."
I am confused by the bolded parts of this statement. Are the bolded parts saying the same thing? If so, it's a bit unclear to me. Could someone please reconcile these two in relation to figure 10-23 on page 265 or just explain diffraction in more understandable lay person terms?
Thanks!
I am confused by the bolded parts of this statement. Are the bolded parts saying the same thing? If so, it's a bit unclear to me. Could someone please reconcile these two in relation to figure 10-23 on page 265 or just explain diffraction in more understandable lay person terms?
Thanks!