What is the definition of diffraction?

Diffraction refers to the bending of waves around obstacles or through openings. This phenomenon occurs when waves encounter an edge or a slit that is comparable in size to their wavelength, causing them to spread out and change direction. It is most commonly observed with light, but it can also occur with any type of wave, including sound and water waves.

When light passes through a narrow aperture or around an edge, it does not travel in a straight line but rather disperses and creates a pattern of constructive and destructive interference. This results in a characteristic pattern of light and dark regions, which is a fundamental demonstration of the wave nature of light. Understanding diffraction provides insight into various optical phenomena, including the resolution of our vision and the behavior of lasers.

Other options describe different phenomena related to light but do not capture the essence of diffraction. For instance, the interference of light implies overlapping waves leading to a resultant wave pattern, whereas scattering deals with the dispersion of light in multiple directions due to interactions with particles. Absorption refers to the uptake of light energy by surfaces, which is unrelated to the bending of waves characteristic of diffraction. Thus, option B accurately defines diffraction as a wave phenomenon based on the bending of waves.