What is the term for the bending of a wave path when waves meet an obstruction?

The phenomenon described in the question is known as diffraction, which occurs when a wave encounters an obstacle or a slit that is comparable in size to its wavelength. This interaction causes the wave to bend around the edges of the obstacle or to spread out as it passes through the opening. Diffraction is a fundamental concept in wave physics, and it applies to various types of waves, including sound, light, and water waves.

This bending of the wave path is crucial in understanding how waves behave in real-world situations, such as sound waves bending around a building or light waves spreading out after passing through a narrow gap.

The other concepts mentioned, such as refraction, interference, and reflection, describe different wave phenomena. Refraction involves the change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in its speed. Interference refers to the combination of two or more waves, resulting in a new wave pattern. Reflection entails the bouncing back of a wave when it encounters a barrier, which is distinct from the bending behavior of waves described by diffraction. Understanding these distinctions is essential for grasping wave behavior in various contexts.