Interference
Quantum and Nuclear
| Light, Sound and Waves
Bending and spreading
Teaching Guidance
for 14-16
Refraction's bending, diffraction's spreading
In our experience, students often confuse the terms, refraction
and diffraction
. With this in mind it's useful to practice the following mantra
:
Teacher: So! Let's just remind ourselves, what's the difference between refraction and diffraction of light?
Esme: Refraction's bending, diffraction's spreading.
Teacher: Exactly! Refraction involves the bending of light at some interface between two media, such as air and glass. Diffraction involves the spreading of light around a barrier or through a gap.
Teacher Tip: Bend a beam → refraction.
Teacher Tip: Spread a beam → diffraction.
