Meaning & use
diffraction
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Meanings
noununcountabletechnicalphysics
The spreading and bending of waves when they meet an edge or pass through a narrow opening.
Grammar: No plural; used with 'the': the diffraction of light.
Patterns
- diffraction of something
- diffraction through something
- diffraction around something
- diffraction pattern
The diffraction of light around the edge of the slit creates a pattern of bright and dark bands.
Sound diffraction allows you to hear someone speaking from around a corner.
The scientist studied the diffraction of X-rays by the crystal.
nouncountabletechnicalphysics
A pattern or effect produced by waves spreading in this way.
Grammar: Can be used with 'a' or in the plural when referring to a specific pattern: a diffraction, diffractions.
Patterns
- a diffraction pattern
- observe a diffraction
The microscope image showed a clear diffraction from the tiny structure.
They recorded several diffractions at different angles.
Common combinations
- diffraction grating
- A diffraction grating splits light into its component colors.
- X-ray diffraction
- X-ray diffraction is used to determine the structure of crystals.
- diffraction pattern
- The diffraction pattern appeared as a series of concentric rings.
- electron diffraction
- Electron diffraction can reveal the arrangement of atoms in a material.
- diffraction limit
- The telescope's resolution is limited by the diffraction limit of light.
Synonyms and how they differ
- scattering
- Scattering is a broader term for waves being deflected in many directions; diffraction specifically involves bending around obstacles or through openings.
- bending
- Bending is a general word for changing direction; diffraction is the technical term for wave bending due to edges or slits.
Word family
- diffract verb
- To cause waves to undergo diffraction.
- diffractive adjective
- Relating to or causing diffraction.
Commonly confused: diffraction or refraction? diffraction or reflection?
diffraction vs refraction
Refraction is the bending of waves when they pass from one medium to another (e.g., air to glass), while diffraction is bending around edges or through narrow openings.
diffraction vs reflection
Reflection is waves bouncing off a surface, not bending around obstacles.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'diffraction' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Diffraction is the bending and spreading of waves around obstacles or through narrow openings; sound bending around a building is a classic example. Option A describes refraction, not diffraction. Option C is about reflection. Option D describes refraction in water.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “diffraction”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.