Question

Both light and sound waves produce diffraction. It is more difficult to observe the diffraction with light waves because:

• A. light wave do not require medium
• B. wavelength of light waves is far smaller
• C. light waves are transverse
• D. speed of light is far greater

Answer 1

The correct option is B wavelength of light waves is far smaller

Diffraction is bending of a wave around objects. It is most noticeable when the obstruction or gap is about the same size as the wavelength of the incident wave.
Wavelength of light is in the order of hundreds of nanometre $(\sim {10}^{-9}m$ while the wavelength of sound lies in a range of ${10}^{-1}m$ to ${10}^{-2}m)$.
In our macroscopic world, objects have size comparable to the wavelength of sound, therefore diffraction with light is difficult to observe.