What is the outcome of sound traveling over uneven terrain?

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When sound travels over uneven terrain, it encounters variations in the landscape such as hills, valleys, and other obstacles. These physical features can disrupt the uniform propagation of sound waves. In response to these irregularities, sound waves bend around the objects and obstacles in their path. This bending occurs due to diffraction—the phenomenon where waves spread out as they encounter edges or openings.

This ability to bend allows sound to reach areas that would otherwise be blocked if the waves traveled in a straight line. As sound moves through the environment, factors such as the wavelength of the sound and the size of the obstacles influence how significantly the sound bends.

While other choices may describe aspects of sound behavior under different circumstances, option C accurately captures the specific response of sound waves in an uneven terrain context.

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