Which term describes the bending of waves around obstacles?

Which term describes the bending of waves around obstacles?

• A. Wave
• B. Wave Refraction
• C. Wave Crest
• D. Wave Diffraction

Answer: (D)

Diffraction is the bending and spreading of waves as they encounter an obstacle or pass through a gap. This happens because parts of the wavefront interact with the obstacle and then reassemble into new wavefronts that bend around the edges, sending energy into the region behind the obstacle. In marine settings, water waves diffract when they meet islands, breakwaters, or other structures, producing rounded wavefronts that wrap around the obstruction. The effect is more noticeable when the obstacle size is similar to or smaller than the wavelength. Refraction involves a change in wave speed and direction as the wave moves into a different medium (like shallower water), not bending around an obstacle. A wave is the disturbance itself, and a crest is just the highest point of the wave.

Diffraction is the bending and spreading of waves as they encounter an obstacle or pass through a gap. This happens because parts of the wavefront interact with the obstacle and then reassemble into new wavefronts that bend around the edges, sending energy into the region behind the obstacle. In marine settings, water waves diffract when they meet islands, breakwaters, or other structures, producing rounded wavefronts that wrap around the obstruction. The effect is more noticeable when the obstacle size is similar to or smaller than the wavelength. Refraction involves a change in wave speed and direction as the wave moves into a different medium (like shallower water), not bending around an obstacle. A wave is the disturbance itself, and a crest is just the highest point of the wave.