Water waves in a ripple tank are used to demonstrate diffraction. The waves encounter first a gap of width w w\,w in a barrier, and then a separate solid obstacle of width ddd. Which relative wavelength λ \lambda\,λ produces the most pronounced diffraction (wave bending and spreading) in each case?
Gap: λ≪w\lambda \ll wλ≪w, Obstacle: λ≪d\lambda \ll dλ≪d
Gap: λ≪w\lambda \ll wλ≪w, Obstacle: λ≈d\lambda \approx dλ≈d or λ>d\lambda > dλ>d
Gap: λ≈w\lambda \approx wλ≈w, Obstacle: λ≪d\lambda \ll dλ≪d
Gap: λ≈w\lambda \approx wλ≈w, Obstacle: λ≈d\lambda \approx dλ≈d or λ>d\lambda > dλ>d
237 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics General properties of waves, covering General properties of waves. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.