Diffraction Effects

Mr. Andersen explains diffraction, the bending of waves around obstacles or through openings. He compares sound and light diffraction, noting that sound waves, with longer wavelengths, diffract more easily than light waves. Everyday examples, such as hearing bass from a car, illustrate this concept. A PhET simulation demonstrates how changing obstacle size affects diffraction. The video also discusses radio waves, explaining why shortwave signals may not reach certain areas and how longwave signals diffract more readily. The video aims to help viewers predict and explain wave energy transfer based on wavelength.

What happens to sound waves when the size of an obstacle is decreased?

Explain the difference in diffraction between shortwave and longwave radio signals.