Question

What is difference between diffraction and interference?

Answer 1

Differences between interference and diffraction.

1. Interference is the result of superposition of light from two different wavefronts produced by two coherent sources whereas diffraction is the superposition of secondary waves emitted from various points of the same wavefront.
2. Interference fringes are of the same intensity whereas intensity of diffraction fringes fall rapidly.
3. Interference fringes are equally spaced whereas diffraction fringes are unequally spaced.
4. Minimas of interference fringes are of zero intensity but in case of diffraction fringes, minimas are never perfectly dark.