Final answer:
Sound waves propagate by spreading out and bending around corners after passing through an opening, in contrast to light waves that produce sharp shadows. This propagation is attributed to a phenomenon called diffraction. Sound wave wavelengths are similar to the size of the opening, which allows them to bend and fill the room.
Step-by-step explanation:
When sound waves are played into a room, they propagate by spreading out after passing through an opening such as a doorway. Unlike light, which produces distinct shadows due to its very short wavelengths and ray-like behavior, sound waves have longer wavelengths that are on the order of the size of the door. This results in sound waves bending around corners, a phenomenon known as diffraction. The bending and spreading of sound waves explain why we can hear sounds throughout a room, even if we are not directly in the path where sound rays would traditionally travel straight from their source.
Additionally, in a room with multiple speakers, wave interference occurs, leading to areas of both constructive interference (louder sound) and destructive interference (quieter areas or silence), contributing to the complex way sound fills a space.