Question

Distinguish between interference and diffraction.

Answer 1

Differences between interference and diffraction

	Interference		Diffraction
1	Interference takes place when light from two different wave-fronts coming from two coherent sources superimpose on each other.	1	Diffraction is due to superposition of secondary wavelets from various points on the same wavefront.
2	Bright fringes are of the same intensity.	2	Intensity of secondary maximas goes on decreasing.
3	Fringes are equispaced.	3	Fringes are not equispaced.
4	Intensity of light is zero at minima.	4	Intensity of light at minima is not zero.