Physics A-Level
Diffraction
What Diffraction means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA, OCR.
Definitions of Diffraction
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Reference: OCR
The spreading of waves passing through an aperture or around an obstacle, producing a central maximum with subsidiary maxima for a single slit.
The spreading of long-wavelength radiation around the Earth's surface, which lets ground waves follow its curvature.
Topics that use Diffraction
- Transmission media (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
- Practical skills (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- Accuracy and precision
- Amplitude
- Analogue measurement
- Apparatus selection
- Background radiation
- Circuit symbols and component recognition
- Comparison of transmission media
- Computer modelling
Using Diffraction in the exam
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