Yes, when light passes through a small hole or aperture, it will diffract, which means it will spread out and change direction. The phenomenon of diffraction occurs because light waves exhibit wave-like behavior and can bend or spread when encountering an obstacle or a narrow opening.
The extent of diffraction depends on the size of the hole or aperture relative to the wavelength of the light. If the aperture size is comparable to or smaller than the wavelength of the light, significant diffraction occurs. The smaller the aperture, the greater the diffraction effect.
When light passes through a small hole, it undergoes diffraction, and the resulting pattern of diffracted light can exhibit a characteristic pattern known as the diffraction pattern. The exact pattern depends on the geometry of the hole and the wavelength of the light.
In the case of a small circular hole, the resulting diffraction pattern is known as the Airy pattern or the Airy disk. The Airy pattern consists of a central bright spot called the central maximum surrounded by concentric rings of alternating dark and bright regions. The size and spacing of these rings depend on the wavelength of the light and the size of the aperture.
It's important to note that the diffraction pattern from a small hole will spread the light in various directions around the central maximum, resulting in a certain degree of dispersion. However, the majority of the light is concentrated around the central maximum, which is the brightest part of the diffraction pattern.
In summary, when light passes through a small hole or aperture, it will diffract, causing it to spread out and change direction. This diffraction phenomenon results in a characteristic pattern known as the diffraction pattern, with a central bright spot surrounded by concentric rings.