Question

State the essential condition for diffraction of light to occur.

(a) The size of the aperture must be less when compared to the wavelength of light

(b) The size of the aperture must be more when compared  to the wavelength of light

(c) The size of the aperture must be comparable to the wavelength of light

(d) The size of the aperture should not be compared to the wavelength of light

This question was posed to me during an interview for a job.

I would like to ask this question from Wave Optics in section Wave Optics of Physics – Class 12

Answer 1

The correct option is (c) The size of the aperture must be comparable to the wavelength of light

Easiest explanation: Diffraction is the spreading out of waves as they pass through an aperture or around objects. The diffraction of light occurs when the size of the obstacle or the aperture is comparable to the wavelength of light.