What happens to waves when they pass through a narrow gap?

When waves pass through a narrow gap, they experience increased diffraction. Diffraction is the phenomenon that occurs when waves encounter an obstacle or an opening that is comparable in size to their wavelength. As the waves move through the gap, they spread out into the region beyond the gap, resulting in a wider wavefront than would occur if the waves had not encountered the gap.

The amount of diffraction that occurs depends on the relationship between the wavelength of the waves and the width of the gap. When the gap is similar in size to the wavelength, the diffraction is pronounced, leading to significant spreading of the wave. This is an important principle observed in diverse contexts, such as sound waves, water waves, and light waves when they interact with obstacles.

Understanding how diffraction works is crucial in areas such as optics and sound technology, where controlling wave behavior is essential for various applications, including the design of audio equipment and optical instruments.