Question

Explain how the diffraction of light shows that light behaves like a wave.

Answer 1

Answer: Particles cannot bend around the edges of an obstacle, as light waves does.

Explanation:

Diffraction happens when a wave (mechanical or electromagnetic wave) meets an obstacle or a slit .When this occurs, the wave bends around the edges of the obstacle or passes through the opening of the slit that acts as an obstacle, forming multiple patterns with the shape of the aperture of the slit.

Note this phenomenon is a characteristic of waves behaviour and not particles, because particles cannot bend around the edges of an obstacle, as waves (light waves in this case) does.

Answer 2

Diffraction of light behaves like wave:

Light always bends when it is passed through edge or slit. The property of bending of waves is known as diffraction. The diffraction pattern created when light bends around edge or slit shows that diffraction of light has wave like properties.  The particle passing through edge or slit does not bend.

When the light travels through prism which is a diffracting medium, it is broken down into its constituents which shows wavelength of the light with the amplitude of its existence and it follows frequency and period. These are all the property of a wave and not a particle, hence light is being demonstrated as wave in diffraction.