An object that causes a wave to change direction and bend around it is said to cause which phenomenon?

An object that causes a wave to change direction and bend around it is said to cause which phenomenon?

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

Answer: (C)

Diffraction is the bending and spreading of waves when they encounter an obstacle or pass through a small opening. An object that causes a wave to change direction and bend around it demonstrates diffraction, because the wavefronts wrap around the edges and continue beyond the obstacle. Absorption would simply take energy away, reflection would bounce the wave off the surface, and refraction would involve a change of speed and direction due to moving into a different medium, not just bending around an obstacle.

Diffraction is the bending and spreading of waves when they encounter an obstacle or pass through a small opening. An object that causes a wave to change direction and bend around it demonstrates diffraction, because the wavefronts wrap around the edges and continue beyond the obstacle. Absorption would simply take energy away, reflection would bounce the wave off the surface, and refraction would involve a change of speed and direction due to moving into a different medium, not just bending around an obstacle.