Chapter 16, Problem 43A

To determine

To Explain:The diffraction of sound wave more familiar in everyday experience than is than diffraction of light waves.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Diffraction is the bending of light around an obstacle. Sound waves and light waves show diffraction effect. Diffraction of waves depends on the wavelength.

The wavelength of visible light ranges from $\text{400}\text{nm}$ to $\text{700}\text{nm}$ .For this range of wavelength it is difficult to observe the diffraction effect in every day experience.

The wavelength of sound waves ranges from $\text{17}\text{m}$ to $\text{17}\text{nm}$ . For this range of wavelength it becomes easy to observe the bending of sound waves around an obstacle.

Conclusion:

Hence, the diffraction of sound waves is easily observed than diffraction of light waves in daily life.