Final answer:
Wireless signals can be subject to diffraction, which is the bending and spreading of waves when they encounter edges or openings. This diffusion in multiple different directions can affect signal transmission, and adjusting the beam diameter relative to wavelength can mitigate diffraction effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Wireless signals may be subject to diffraction, which refers to the bending of signals around the edges of openings or obstacles. Diffraction occurs when waves encounter an edge or slit that is comparable in size to their wavelength. As a result, these waves diffuse in multiple different directions, often leading to interference with one another. This phenomenon applies to all types of waves, including electromagnetic waves such as light, radio, and microwaves. For example, in the case of electromagnetic waves radiated by an antenna, this diffraction can cause the signal to spread out instead of travelling in a straight line, which may affect the signal's reception and clarity.
One important aspect to consider about diffraction is that the amount of spreading increases when the obstacle or opening is small relative to the wavelength of the wave. In the context of wireless communication, such as microwaves, this can impact the signal transmission over long distances. To manage this effect, one can increase the diameter of the beam (D) relative to its wavelength (λ), as is done with laser beams sent to the Moon. Hence, bouncing does not describe diffraction appropriately, and neither do splitting into secondary waves or being absorbed by obstacles.