Glossary

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destructive interference - a wave and a crest interfere to produce a resultant displacement less than the displacement by either wave itself.

diaphragm - the device in a camera or microscope that lets in variable amount of light.

diffraction - the bending of light (or other waves) around an object or small opening.

diffuse reflection - parallel incident rays that are reflected in various directions from a rough surface.

direct lighting - light travels straight toward an object or surface that produces sharp shadows. Direct lighting light travels straight toward an object or surface that produces sharp shadows.

dispersion - the splitting of white light into its constituent colours (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet) by refraction.

diverging lens - a lens that is thinner in the middle.

Doppler Effect - the change in frequency (or wavelength) produced when a moving source generates waves.

double-glazed window - a window made up of 2 panes of glass separated by a space containing air, argon or other gas.

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