Describe the relationship between wavelength and diffraction.

The relationship between wavelength and diffraction is that longer wavelengths diffract more than shorter wavelengths.

In the study of wave phenomena, diffraction refers to the bending of waves around obstacles or the spreading of waves after they pass through a gap. This phenomenon is more noticeable when the size of the obstacle or gap is comparable to the wavelength of the wave. The relationship between wavelength and diffraction is a direct one; as the wavelength increases, the amount of diffraction also increases. Conversely, shorter wavelengths diffract less.

To understand this, consider light as a wave. When light encounters a barrier with a small opening, it doesn't just pass straight through; it spreads out or 'diffracts'. This is why you can see light spreading out from a small hole or slit. The amount of this spreading (the diffraction) depends on the wavelength of the light. Red light, which has a longer wavelength than blue light, diffracts more. This is why, in a rainbow, red light is bent more than blue light.

The same principle applies to other types of waves. For example, in the case of sound waves, lower-pitched sounds (which have longer wavelengths) can diffract around obstacles more than higher-pitched sounds (which have shorter wavelengths). This is why you can hear the bass of music from around a corner, but not the higher-pitched sounds.

In summary, the relationship between wavelength and diffraction is a fundamental concept in wave physics. It explains why different types of waves behave differently when they encounter obstacles or gaps. Understanding this relationship can help you predict and explain the behaviour of waves in various contexts, from the colours of a rainbow to the sounds you hear around a corner.