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Diffraction is a natural phenomenon in which the directional propagation of a wave is altered by the presence of obstacles in its path. This phenomenon occurs in various forms of wave motion, including water waves, light waves, and sound waves. In the context of wave propagation, diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles or the edges of apertures, resulting in the spreading of energy into new directions.

The term "diffraction" comes from the Latin words "diffringere," meaning to split apart or scatter. Diffraction has been a subject of study in various fields, including physics, optics, and engineering. In physics, diffraction is a process by which a wave is forced to change direction as it passes through an opening or around an obstacle. The extent to which a wave is diffracted depends on its wavelength and the size of the opening or obstacle.

There are several types of diffraction, including Fraunhofer diffraction, Fresnel diffraction, and Bragg diffraction. Fraunhofer diffration is the study of the diffraction pattern produced when waves pass through a circular opening. Fresnel diffraction is the study of the diffraction pattern produced when waves pass through a finite-sized opening. Bragg diffraction occurs when waves interact with a crystal lattice, resulting in the diffraction of the waves.

Diffraction has many practical applications in various fields, including optics, antenna design, and ultrasound imaging. In optics, diffraction is used to explain the behavior of light as it passes through lenses and apertures. In antenna design, diffraction is used to understand the way radio waves interact with obstacles and apertures. In ultrasound imaging, diffraction is used to understand the way sound waves propagate through tissues.