Simple Explanation

The bending and spreading of sound waves when they encounter small obstacles or openings—especially when those are smaller than the wavelength.

Concise Technical Definition

The bending of sound waves around obstacles and the spreading of waves through openings that are similar in size to the wavelength of the sound.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like water flowing around a rock or squeezing through a narrow gap, sound waves bend and spread when they hit small objects or openings.

Industry Usage Summary

Diffraction is important in loudspeaker and room design because it affects how sound travels around edges or through openings—impacting clarity, imaging, and dispersion.

Engineering Shortcut

Diffraction = wave bending/spreading at obstacles or gaps ~ wavelength size.

Full Technical Explanation

Diffraction refers to the phenomenon where sound waves bend around obstacles or spread as they pass through openings that are comparable in size to the wavelength of the wave. This is a key behavior of all waveforms, including sound. In acoustics, diffraction can affect speaker directivity and how sound interacts with surfaces, influencing tonal balance and spatial cues. Diffraction effects are strongest when obstacle or gap sizes are close to or smaller than the sound’s wavelength, making low-frequency waves more likely to bend significantly than high-frequency ones.