What typically characterizes the phenomenon of diffraction?

The phenomenon of diffraction is characterized by the bending of waves around obstacles and the spreading of waves as they pass through openings. This behavior occurs when waves encounter an obstacle or an aperture that is comparable in size to their wavelength. As a result, diffraction can lead to the interference patterns observed in various wave phenomena, such as sound and light.

For instance, when water waves pass through a narrow gap, they emerge on the other side displaying distinctive spreading and circular wave patterns, which illustrate the bending effect. Similarly, in the case of sound waves, you can hear sounds around a corner or behind an obstacle due to diffraction. This is why the first choice accurately describes the essence of diffraction and its implications in wave behavior.

Other options are unrelated to the principle of diffraction; they refer to different phenomena in wave mechanics, such as changes in wave speed, the formation of stationary waves, or adjustments in frequency, which do not directly address what diffraction entails.