Diffraction
MCAT glossary · MCAT
Definition
The bending of a wave around an obstacle or through an aperture.
Diffraction in plain English
Waves — like light, sound, or ripples in water — don't always travel in perfectly straight lines. Diffraction is their tendency to bend and spread out when they pass the edge of an obstacle or squeeze through a narrow opening. That's why you can hear someone talking around a corner even when you can't see them: the sound waves bend around the wall. The effect is strongest when the opening or obstacle is about the same size as the wave itself.
Practice Diffraction
Sign up free: all 171 MCAT terms as flashcards, plus practice questions with full explanations →
Related MCAT terms
MCAT practice questions · MCAT flashcards · MCAT study guide