The exact answer to the question is: No.
Understanding the Relationship Between Frequency, Wavelength, and Diffraction
Diffraction is the phenomenon where waves spread out as they pass through an opening or around an obstacle. It's a fundamental property of all wave types, including light waves, sound waves, and water waves.
The extent to which a wave diffracts is closely tied to its wavelength. Wavelength is the distance between successive crests or troughs of a wave. Frequency, on the other hand, is the number of waves that pass a point in a given time. Frequency and wavelength are inversely related: as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, assuming the wave speed is constant (which is true for a given medium).
The Role of Wavelength in Diffraction
Based on the principles of wave behavior and supported by the provided reference:
- Longer wavelengths (associated with lower frequencies) diffract more.
- Shorter wavelengths (associated with higher frequencies) diffract less.
As the reference states: "In summary, the frequency of a wave significantly influences its diffraction. Higher frequency waves, with their shorter wavelengths, diffract less than lower frequency waves with their longer wavelengths."
This means that an increase in frequency leads to a decrease in wavelength, and consequently, a decrease in diffraction.
Frequency vs. Diffraction
Here's a simple summary of the relationship:
| Frequency | Wavelength | Diffraction Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Increases | Decreases | Decreases |
| Decreases | Increases | Increases |
Therefore, the statement "When frequency increases, diffraction increases" is incorrect. The opposite is true: when frequency increases, diffraction decreases.
Practical Insights
This inverse relationship explains several everyday phenomena:
- Sound vs. Light: Lower frequency sound waves (longer wavelengths) diffract much more around obstacles than high frequency light waves (much shorter wavelengths). This is why you can often hear sounds around corners even when you can't see the source.
- Radio Waves: Lower frequency radio waves (like AM radio) with longer wavelengths can travel further and diffract more around buildings and hills than higher frequency radio waves (like FM radio or Wi-Fi) with shorter wavelengths.
In conclusion, diffraction is more pronounced for waves with longer wavelengths, which correspond to lower frequencies.
