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Which of the following undergoes largest diffraction ?

Asked in GUJCET 2008 · Order of the bands

Answer: (4) Radio waves

Step-by-step solution

Idea: diffraction is noticeable only when the wavelength is comparable with the obstacle or the aperture, so the longest wave bends most.

Order the four by wavelength: γ-rays about 10⁻¹² m, ultraviolet about 10⁻⁸ m, infra-red about 10⁻⁵ m, radio waves from centimetres up to hundreds of metres.

Radio waves are the longest by a wide margin, and they are the only ones here whose wavelength matches the size of hills and buildings.

So radio waves undergo the largest diffraction.

Why the other options are wrong

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