Question

How are refraction and diffraction similar? How are they different? Check all that apply.

Refraction and diffraction both involve the bending of waves.
Refraction and diffraction both involve the bending of waves through a medium.
Refraction and diffraction both involve the bending of waves around objects.
Refraction involves the bending of waves through a medium, and diffraction involves the bending of waves around an object.
Refraction involves the bending of waves around an object, and diffraction involves the bending of waves through a medium.

Answer 1

Correct choices:
- Refraction and diffraction both involve the bending of waves.
- Refraction involves the bending of waves through a medium, and diffraction involves the bending of waves around an object.

Why: Both are wave phenomena that change the direction of propagation. Refraction is the change of direction when a wave crosses into a different medium (speed/refractive index changes). Diffraction is the spreading or bending of waves when they encounter an obstacle or aperture comparable in size to the wavelength (an interference effect). The other statements are incorrect because diffraction is not primarily about changing medium, and refraction is not about bending around objects.