What is pixelation?

Pixelation refers to the visual effect that occurs when an image does not have enough resolution to display clearly. When an image is scaled up or viewed at a larger size than its original resolution, individual pixels become more apparent, resulting in a blocky or mosaic-like appearance. This happens because the image consists of a grid of tiny squares (pixels), and when the image is enlarged, each square becomes visible instead of blending smoothly into one another.

Understanding why pixelation occurs is important in fields such as digital imaging, graphic design, and photography. Higher resolution images contain more pixels per unit area, which allows for finer detail and a smoother appearance. When an image is low in resolution, the lack of detail leads to the blocky artifacts that characterize pixelation. The other terms in the options refer to different processes that do not contribute to this specific visual effect.