Why waves bend around obstacles?

Waves bend around obstacles due to a phenomenon called diffraction. This occurs when waves encounter an obstacle or an opening, causing them to spread out and change direction. The extent of bending depends on the wavelength of the waves relative to the size of the obstacle; longer wavelengths tend to diffract more than shorter wavelengths. This property allows waves, such as sound or light, to propagate in various environments, even in the presence of barriers.