Answer to Question #276724 in Physics for Somu

Question

Define the interference and diffraction of light.

Answer 1

When two (or more) coherent light waves are superimposed, there is a redistribution of the intensity of the waves, resulting in maxima in some places, and the minimums of intensity in others.

This phenomenon is called light interference.

Diffraction is an optical phenomenon associated with a change in the direction of propagation of light waves (compared with the direction provided by the laws of geometric optics) and the spatial redistribution of their intensity under the influence obstacles and inhomogeneities of the environment in their path.