diffracts

Bends around edges

Diffracts is the third-person singular of diffract, meaning to cause light or other waves to bend and spread when passing through an opening or around an obstacle.

When light diffracts through a narrow slit, it produces interference patterns rather than a sharp-edged shadow: The grating diffracts white light into its component colors.

optics

prism

Light-splitting optical element

gratingCrossed bars or harsh
lensLight-focusing curved glass
beamStructural support member

light · wavelength · dispersion · refraction · interference · scattering · polarization · spectrometer · monochromatic · coherent

physics

wave

Oscillating motion through medium

interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
superpositionCoexisting in multiple states
HuygensSeventeenth-century Dutch astronomer

Fresnel · Bragg · crystallography · X-ray · constructive · destructive · electron · neutron · coherent · wavefront

spectrum

rainbow

Refracted light arc

colorsVisual spectrum variations
dispersionScattering across space
wavelengthsPeak-to-peak distances in waves

visible · violet · indigo · blue · green · yellow · orange · red · electromagnetic · absorption

bending

bends

Curves or yields

spreadsDistributes over area
scattersDistributes irregularly about
deflectsTurns something away

curves · deviates · diverges · splits · separates · fans · angles · redirects

Opposites

wave behavior type

diffractsreflects

Returns light or image

refracts · absorbs · transmits

wave spreading vs. focusing

diffractsfocuses

Concentrates attention on

converges · concentrates · narrows · intensifies · beams

Phrases

electron diffractionCharged particles bent by crystals
Fresnel diffractionLight bending near obstacles

Family

diffraction, diffract, diffracted, diffractive, diffractions, diffracting

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