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Slit width:    
Color scheme -

Diffraction from a Single Slit

This simulation demonstrates the diffraction of waves by a single slit. The width of the opening is controlled by the slider. Initially, the waves are shown in black and white (grayscale), with both the peaks and troughs being white. Black indicates zero amplitude. Alternatively, you can switch to a red and blue color scheme, in which the wave crests are shown in red and the troughs in blue, with black still indicating zero amplitude. Note that the wave amplitude does not decrease with the distance from the source, as it would for physical waves.

This version of the simulation first posted by Andrew Duffy, 8-25-2017.

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