Like all waves, light waves change direction by reflection, refraction, and diffraction.%C2%A0 %C2%A0is the bending of waves due to a change in speed.%C2%A0 %C2%A0occurs when all or part of a wave is unable to pass through something and bounces back. When waves move around barriers or through openings in a barrier, it is called .
When waves move around barriers or through openings in a barrier, it is called diffraction.
When waves move around barriers or through openings in a barrier, it is called diffraction. Diffraction is the bending of waves as they spread out and go around obstacles or through narrow openings. It occurs when the waves encounter an obstacle or opening that is approximately the same size as the wavelength of the waves. This causes the waves to spread out and change direction, allowing them to reach areas that would otherwise be in the shadow of the obstacle. Diffraction is a phenomenon that is observed in various types of waves, including light waves.
The bending of waves due to a change in speed is called refraction. When a wave encounters a boundary between two different mediums, such as air and water, its speed changes and it bends. This change in speed is responsible for the bending of light waves when they pass through mediums with different refractive indices.
On the other hand, the process of waves bouncing back after encountering a boundary is called reflection. When a wave, such as light or sound, hits a surface that does not allow it to pass through, it reflects, or bounces back. This is similar to how a ball bounces back when it hits a wall.
Furthermore, when waves encounter obstacles or openings, they can diffract. Diffraction occurs when waves spread out and change direction as they encounter an obstacle or pass through an opening in a barrier. Diffraction can be observed when light passes through a small slit or when sound bends around corners.
In summary, light waves change direction through reflection, refraction, and diffraction. Reflection involves bouncing back when waves encounter a boundary, refraction involves bending due to a change in speed, and diffraction occurs when waves spread out around obstacles or through openings.