Post date: Apr 4, 2018 12:45:54 AM
The microscopist uses blue light rather than white light to illuminate objects being viewed. The reason behind is more details can be observed with less diffraction which is the case with short-wavelength blue light.
The dolphin employs long-wavelength sound to get an overall image of objects in its environment. But emitting short-wavelength sound enables it to examine finer details.
Electron microscopes can see and examine tiny objects owing to the fact that electron beams have extremely short wavelengths compared to light waves. Electron microscopes work thanks to the wave nature of electrons. Focusing of an electron beam is achieved by guiding and deflecting the beam using electromagnetic fields.
The wavelengths of AM radio waves range from 180 m to 550 m, and this size range allows these waves to bend around buildings and obstacles. In contrast, diffraction is bad for FM radio waves with wavelengths range from 2.8 m to 3.4 m, because these waves ``see” the obstacles.
Remember, when light passes through a wide window, it casts a sharp shadow. When the object’s size is larger than the wavelength of light, a sharper shadow is cast.
If the object’s size is smaller than the wavelength of light, no structure can be seen. Diffraction is more pronounced through a small opening than through a large opening.
References
1. P. G. Hewitt, Conceptual Physics, 10th ed., Pearson Addison Wesley, San Francisco, USA, 2006.
2. P. A. Tipler and G. Mosca, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 5th ed., W. H. Freeman and Company, New York, USA, 2004.