What is diffraction in the context of wave behavior?

Diffraction is described as the bending of waves around obstacles or through openings. This phenomenon can be observed with all types of waves, including sound waves and light waves, indicating that wave behavior is not confined solely to travel in straight lines. When a wave encounters an obstacle or passes through a narrow aperture, it spreads out rather than simply continuing on its original path. This is why diffraction is particularly pronounced when the size of the obstacle or the width of the opening is comparable to the wavelength of the wave.

In the context of light, for example, when a beam hits the edge of a barrier or goes through a slit, it spreads out instead of just forming a shadow. This behavior is crucial in various applications, such as determining the wave nature of light in diffraction patterns observed in experiments like the double-slit experiment.

Each of the other concepts listed describes different wave phenomena. Reflection involves waves bouncing off surfaces, scattering refers to a wave being dispersed in various directions, and absorption means that energy from the wave is taken in by the medium, causing a decrease in intensity. While all of these interactions are important in the study of waves, none capture the essence of diffraction quite like bending around obstacles or through openings does.