The key idea
Diffraction is the spreading and restructuring of a wave when it encounters an aperture or obstacle whose dimensions are relevant to its wavelength.
Why it matters
It is not a defect of waves: it is one of their signatures, and it ultimately limits the resolving power of optical instruments.
A picture to remember
Start with the central idea, then test it against a concrete element or example. A scientific model is useful when we know what it explains — and where its limits are.
The key idea
Diffraction is the spreading and restructuring of a wave when it encounters an aperture or obstacle whose dimensions are relevant to its wavelength.
The key idea
It is not a defect of waves: it is one of their signatures, and it ultimately limits the resolving power of optical instruments.
It is not a defect of waves: it is one of their signatures, and it ultimately limits the resolving power of optical instruments.