Can you hear sounds around the corner of a door due to the wave property called diffraction?

Answer 1

Yes, you can. Sound, which is mechanical energy, travels through air around corners. There is a "sonic shadow" cast by the structure or whatever it is that is making the corner, and the amount of sound energy that gets around the corner is lower than "not around the corner" as it were. By the fact that the listener is not in a direct line with the source, not as much sound energy arrives at the ear. But you can hear things around a corner, depending on the circumstances. It's a simple matter to conduct an experiment by standing in a recessed entry way and listening to sounds and then "sticking your head out" to sample the direct energy.

Answer 2

All waves have the ability to diffract around obstacles that are approximately the same size as the wavelength or bigger.

A helpful website which explains this concept further is http://www.answers.com/topic/diffraction

Answer 3

Because there is a blockage when you try to see around it but nothing blocks sound unless there is not an opening.

Answer 4

Something called diffraction. Basically the sound waves change direction and go around the obstacle. Look up Huygens principle if you are interested.

Answer 5

we can hear it because of vibrations and micro cells .

Answer 6

Partly true. Sound waves will diffract, just like other waves, but sound will also reflect of other objects and thus reach you without regard to diffraction.

Answer 7

diffraction

Answer 8

Diffraction