Bending of the wave path when the waves meet an obstruction is called what?

• A. Diffraction
• B. Refraction
• C. Reflection
• D. Interference

Answer: (A)

Diffraction is the bending of waves as they encounter an obstacle or pass through an opening. When a wavefront meets the edge of something, portions of the wave bend around the edge and spread into the region behind the obstacle, which is the hallmark of diffraction. This is seen with light around a sharp edge, sound around a corner, or water waves wrapping past a barrier. Refraction involves a change in direction due to moving into a medium with a different speed, not simply an obstruction. Reflection is the wave bouncing off a surface. Interference is the combination of waves overlapping and forming patterns of reinforcement or cancellation, which is related but not the same as bending around an obstacle.