Question

When you look at a clear blue sky you see tiny specks and hair like structures floating in your view, called "floaters". This is basically
1. Interference pattern
2. Diffraction pattern
3. Emission spectra
4. Absorption spectra

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Diffraction pattern

CONCEPT:

Diffraction of Light: 

• The phenomenon of bending of waves around the corners of an obstacle/aperture of the size of the wavelength of a wave is called diffraction.
• ​Diffraction is the characteristic of all types of waves.
• The greater the wavelength of the wave higher will be its degree of diffraction.
• The condition of diffraction is that the width of the obstacle must be less than or comparable with the wavelength of the wave.

Types of diffraction:

1. Fresnel diffraction
2. Fraunhofer diffraction

EXPLANATION:

• A person encounters a common example of diffraction when he looks at a clear blue sky and sees tiny specks and hairlike structures floating in his view.
• We know that the transparent material known as vitreous humor is filled between the lens and the retina of the human eye.
• When light passes the edges of tiny deposits in the vitreous humor, the diffraction of the light wave takes place. Due to this, a diffraction pattern produces on the retina and a person sees tiny specks and hair-like structures floating in his view.
• Hence, option 2 is correct.