Which phenomenon can occur when waves interact with obstacles?

When waves encounter obstacles, they exhibit specific behaviors such as reflection and refraction, which are key characteristics of wave mechanics. Reflection occurs when waves bounce back after striking a barrier, while refraction involves the bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another, changing speed and direction.

These interactions are fundamental to understanding how waves behave in real-world scenarios. For example, when light waves hit a glass barrier at an angle, they change direction due to refraction, and when sound waves hit a wall, they reflect back towards the source, allowing us to perceive echoes.

This understanding of wave behavior highlights the importance of obstacles in shaping wave interactions, emphasizing that waves do not simply propagate in a straight line; instead, they adapt and change based on their environment.