Question

What is the diffraction of light?

Answer 1

The principle of rectilinear propagation of light from geometrical optics predicts a sharp shadow when light passes by the edge of an obstacle or through a small opening or a narrow slit and falls on a screen. However, it is discovered that some of the light deviates from its rectilinear path and enters the geometrical shadow region. This is a common feature of wave phenomena that occurs when a portion of the wavefront is obstructed in some way. This bending of light waves at an edge into the region of the geometrical shadow is called the diffraction of light.