Distinguish, differentiate, compare and explain what is the difference between Interference and Diffraction.
Comparison and Difference between Interference and Diffraction
- Interference takes place between two separate wave fronts originating from two coherent sources. Diffraction takes place when secondary wavelets originate from different points of the same wave front.
- In the interference, the fringe width may or may not be the same. In diffraction, fringes are not of the same width.
- In the interference, all maxima are of the same intensity while in diffraction, maxima are of varying intensity.
- In the interference, the minimum intensity regions are usually almost perfect dark whereas, in diffraction, the minimum intensity regions are not perfectly dark.