How does wavelength affect diffraction?

Wavelength has a significant impact on diffraction, and longer wavelengths indeed diffract more than shorter wavelengths. This phenomenon can be appreciated through the principles of wave behavior. When a wave encounters an obstacle or aperture that is comparable in size to its wavelength, it spreads out or bends around the edges of the obstacle or through the aperture.

For longer wavelengths, the degree of diffraction increases because they are more easily able to navigate around obstacles and spread out. In contrast, shorter wavelengths tend to travel in more direct paths and do not bend as much when encountering similar-sized obstacles. This means that waves with shorter wavelengths experience less diffraction.

This differential behavior of waves in terms of their wavelengths explains various optical phenomena, such as the spread of sound waves versus light waves in different environments. Thus, it is clear that longer wavelengths result in a more pronounced diffraction effect, making the understanding of this relationship essential in optics and wave theory.