What is another word for diffraction?
Pronunciation: [dɪfɹˈakʃən] (IPA) 
Diffraction, the bending and spreading of waves around obstacles, can be described by several synonyms that are used interchangeably. These include diffractance, diffraction grating, and diffraction pattern. Refraction, the bending of waves as they pass through a medium with varying density, is sometimes used as a synonym for diffraction, although they are distinct phenomena. In optics, diffraction refers to the bending of light waves around small obstacles or edges, while in acoustic waves, diffraction refers to the bending of sound waves around objects. As the study of diffraction continues to advance, more synonyms may be developed to describe the various properties and applications of this important physical phenomenon.
