Question

Question Mode
Multiple Select Question
Select all that apply

Electromagnetic radiation waves of various wavelengths hit a spherical virus with a diameter of 400 nm. Waves with which one of these wavelengths would experience the greatest diffraction?

Multiple select question.

5 nm


800 nm


20 nm


400 nm

Answer 1

Diffraction occurs when a wave encounters an obstacle or a slit that is comparable in size to its wavelength. In the case of electromagnetic radiation interacting with a spherical virus with a diameter of 400 nm, wavelengths that are close to or larger than the size of the virus will experience greater diffraction.

Given the options:

- **5 nm**: This wavelength is much smaller than 400 nm and will experience minimal diffraction.
- **20 nm**: This wavelength is smaller than 400 nm and will also experience minimal diffraction, though more than 5 nm.
- **400 nm**: This wavelength is equal to the diameter of the virus and will experience significant diffraction.
- **800 nm**: This wavelength is larger than the diameter of the virus and will experience the greatest diffraction among the options provided.

Therefore, the wavelengths that would experience the greatest diffraction are:

- **400 nm**
- **800 nm**

So the correct selections are **400 nm** and **800 nm**.