Question

The physics of diffraction and an island in an ocean.

1. A small island 200 m wide is in the middle of an ocean. On one day, wave crests 50 m apart approach the island. On another day, wave crests 400 m apart approach the same island. In which case will there be a greater diffraction of the waves around the island?

The physics of diffraction of sound waves produced by bats.

1. Bats can hear sounds of frequencies as high as 100 000 Hz while a human can hear a sound of frequency 10 000 Hz.
   
   1. Which frequency of sound would best diffract around a barrier through an opening such as a small hole in a wall?
   2. If a small insect was flying behind a tree, which sound would more likely bend around the tree and reach the insect?

Answer 1