What term describes the bending of waves around a barrier or through a gap?

The term that describes the bending of waves around a barrier or through a gap is diffraction. This phenomenon occurs when waves encounter an obstacle or an opening that is comparable in size to their wavelength. As the waves pass through the gap or around the barrier, they spread out, allowing them to be observed on the other side.

Diffraction is a key concept in wave theory and is important for understanding various physical phenomena, such as the patterns of sound in a room or the behavior of light when it passes through narrow slits. This property is notable because it demonstrates how waves can adapt to their environments and create complex interference patterns.

In contrast, refraction involves the bending of waves as they transition from one medium to another, reflection is the bouncing back of waves when they hit a surface, and interference is the phenomenon that occurs when two or more waves overlap, resulting in a new wave pattern. Each of these processes contributes to the overall understanding of wave behavior but addresses different situations distinct from diffraction.