Acoustic diffraction

Acoustic diffraction is the phenomenon where sound waves bend and spread as they encounter obstacles or pass through openings. When sound waves meet objects like walls or doorways, they don't just stop; instead, they spread out behind the obstacle, allowing us to hear sounds even when they are not in direct line of sight. This effect depends on the size of the obstacle or opening relative to the wavelength of the sound. Diffraction enables sound to reach areas that would otherwise be silent, playing a vital role in sound propagation in everyday environments.