Why Does Light Bends Around Corners?

Light is like water in a pond. When you throw a stone into the pond, ripples spread out and go around stones in the way, just like light goes around corners when it meets an edge. It doesn’t always travel straight; sometimes it bends around things you don't expect.

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Examples

A flashlight beam spreads out around a corner of a room like water waves spreading after hitting a rock.
You can see sunlight coming through small gaps in curtains, even when most of the window is covered.
Light bends around your fingers when you hold them up to a bright light source.

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Categories: Physics · optics· wave behavior· light physics