What term describes the superposition of waves from different parts of a source?

What term describes the superposition of waves from different parts of a source?

• A. Diffraction
• B. Refraction
• C. Reflection
• D. Absorption

Answer: (A)

Diffraction describes what happens when waves from different parts of a source combine as they propagate. Each point on the wavefront acts like its own tiny source, and when their waves meet at a point, their crests and troughs add together or cancel out depending on their relative phases. This superposition produces interference patterns and causes the wave to spread beyond the immediate geometric path, such as light fringes from a narrow slit or waves bending around an obstacle. Refraction, reflection, and absorption involve changes in speed, direction due to boundaries, or energy loss, not the constructive and destructive interference from multiple parts of a source.

Diffraction describes what happens when waves from different parts of a source combine as they propagate. Each point on the wavefront acts like its own tiny source, and when their waves meet at a point, their crests and troughs add together or cancel out depending on their relative phases. This superposition produces interference patterns and causes the wave to spread beyond the immediate geometric path, such as light fringes from a narrow slit or waves bending around an obstacle. Refraction, reflection, and absorption involve changes in speed, direction due to boundaries, or energy loss, not the constructive and destructive interference from multiple parts of a source.