Molecular Expressions: Diffraction of Light

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Detail Page

written by Michael Davidson
published by the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

This item is an introductory tutorial on the topic of diffraction of light waves, the bending of light waves around obstacles. It explains the phenomenon in a variety of ways and provides real-life examples of diffraction patterns. Related interactive simulations demonstrate basic properties of light being diffracted through a slit and through diffraction gratings, plus offer a look at more complex phenomena such as Airy disk patterns.

This item is part of a larger collection of materials for students of introductory optics on the topic of light and color. SEE RELATED ITEMS on this page for a link to the full collection.

Please note that this resource requires Java.

https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/diffractionintro...

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Optics - Diffraction - Interference	- High School - Lower Undergraduate	- Instructional Material = Interactive Simulation = Tutorial - Reference Material

Appropriate Courses	Categories	Ratings
- Physical Science - Physics First - Conceptual Physics - Algebra-based Physics - AP Physics	- Activity - New teachers	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Intended Users:: Learner
Educator
Formats:: text/html
application/java
Access Rights:: Free access
Restriction:: © 2003 National High Magnetic Field Laboratory-2003
Keywords:: Airy patterns, Simulations, aperture, diffraction, diffraction grating, double-slit, light, light waves, optics, periodic grating, single-slit, tutorials
Record Cloner:: Metadata instance created May 26, 2009 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:: March 6, 2010 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update when Cataloged:: December 28, 2007

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This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.

Topic: Nature and Behavior of Light
Unit Title: The Wave Nature of Light

Interactive Tutorial Grades 11-12
Scientists began to question the classical theory of light as a particle when they studied the phenomenon of diffraction: the bending of light around an obstacle into a "shadow region". If light consisted only of a particle nature, it would not be capable of such movement. This interactive tutorial helps students understand light scattering and diffraction through a single slit.

Link to Unit:

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Record Link

<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=9004">Davidson, Michael. Molecular Expressions: Diffraction of Light. Tallahassee: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, December 28, 2007.</a>

AIP Format

M. Davidson, (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, 2003), WWW Document, (https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/diffractionintro.html).

AJP/PRST-PER

M. Davidson, Molecular Expressions: Diffraction of Light (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, 2003), <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/diffractionintro.html>.

APA Format

Davidson, M. (2007, December 28). Molecular Expressions: Diffraction of Light. Retrieved October 6, 2024, from National High Magnetic Field Laboratory: https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/diffractionintro.html

Chicago Format

Davidson, Michael. Molecular Expressions: Diffraction of Light. Tallahassee: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, December 28, 2007. https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/diffractionintro.html (accessed 6 October 2024).

MLA Format

Davidson, Michael. Molecular Expressions: Diffraction of Light. Tallahassee: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 2003. 28 Dec. 2007. 6 Oct. 2024 <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/diffractionintro.html>.

BibTeX Export Format

@misc{ Author = "Michael Davidson", Title = {Molecular Expressions: Diffraction of Light}, Publisher = {National High Magnetic Field Laboratory}, Volume = {2024}, Number = {6 October 2024}, Month = {December 28, 2007}, Year = {2003} }

Refer Export Format

%A Michael Davidson %T Molecular Expressions: Diffraction of Light %D December 28, 2007 %I National High Magnetic Field Laboratory %C Tallahassee %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/diffractionintro.html %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %A Davidson, Michael %D December 28, 2007 %T Molecular Expressions: Diffraction of Light %I National High Magnetic Field Laboratory %V 2024 %N 6 October 2024 %8 December 28, 2007 %9 text/html %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/diffractionintro.html

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The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation.

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