Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 29 - Think and Explain - Page 560-561: 31

Answer

For an opening/object of a given size, diffraction is more pronounced for longer wavelengths.

Work Step by Step

This is discussed on page 548, and illustrated in Figure 29.11. The wavelengths of AM/FM radio waves are thousands of times longer than those of visible light waves. AM radio waves (wavelengths of 100+ meters) diffract easily around buildings. FM radio waves diffract with difficulty (their higher-than-AM-radio-frequency means their wavelengths are shorter). Light waves, with wavelengths of roughly 0.00004-0.00007 cm, hardly diffract around buildings at all.
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