Difference between Refraction and Diffraction

What is Refraction and Diffraction?

Refraction is the bending of light when passing through different mediums whereas diffraction is the bending of light waves around obstacles or edges.

How do Refraction and Diffraction differ?

Refraction occurs due to changes in medium density, while diffraction results from interference patterns caused by obstacles.

What causes Refraction and Diffraction?

Refraction is caused by changes in the speed of light, while diffraction arises from interference patterns created by obstacles.

How are Refraction and Diffraction Used?

Refraction is utilized in optics and lenses, while diffraction finds applications in spectroscopy and microscopy.

Refraction is the bending of light when passing through different mediums while diffraction occurs when light waves bend around obstacles or edges. While refraction affects the path of light rays, diffraction changes their distribution. Both phenomena play big roles in various scientific fields and applications.

In this article, we will learn about the differences between refraction and diffraction.