What does diffraction refer to in the context of light?

Diffraction in the context of light refers to the bending of light waves around obstacles and the spreading of light waves as they pass through small openings. This phenomenon occurs because light behaves as a wave rather than a particle, allowing it to interact with its environment in a way that causes the waves to diverge or change direction when they encounter edges or apertures.

Diffraction is particularly noticeable when the size of the obstacle or opening is comparable to the wavelength of the light being used. This can result in characteristic patterns of alternating light and dark regions, known as diffraction patterns, which illustrate the wave nature of light. Understanding diffraction is essential in areas such as optical imaging, laser technology, and various applications in telecommunications and metrology.

The other choices do not accurately describe diffraction. Focusing light through a lens pertains to refraction, which is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another. The intensity of light deals more with brightness and energy emitted by a source rather than the behavior of light waves. Lastly, the absorption of light by a material involves the conversion of light energy into other forms (like heat) and does not encompass the bending behavior characteristic of diffraction.