Ace the BMAT 2026 – Unleash Your Biomedical Superpowers!

Long-wave radio waves are known for their ability to diffract, which means they can bend around obstacles and follow the curvature of the Earth. This characteristic allows them to travel long distances, making them particularly useful for communication over large areas, especially in situations where direct line-of-sight communication is not possible.

This diffraction ability occurs because long-wave radio waves have longer wavelengths, which enables them to navigate around buildings, hills, and even the curvature of the planet effectively. Consequently, this property enhances their performance in certain types of broadcasting and communication technologies, providing a reliable means of transmission across varied terrains.

The other options represent characteristics that do not apply to long-wave radio waves. For instance, while long waves might penetrate certain materials to an extent, they do not have the penetrating capabilities of waves like X-rays. Additionally, they cannot be used in microwave ovens, as microwave technology relies on much shorter wavelengths. Thus, the primary characteristic of long-wave radio waves is their ability to diffract around the Earth's surface.