What is the purpose of the Physics.Raycast method in Unity?

The Physics.Raycast method in Unity is primarily used to detect intersections with colliders. When you call this method, it sends out an imaginary ray from a specified point in a specified direction and checks if it intersects with any colliders in the scene. This functionality is essential for several gameplay mechanics, such as shooting mechanics in first-person shooters, line-of-sight checks, and interaction systems, where a player might need to interact with objects in their environment. By determining whether the ray hits a collider, developers can implement various logic and responses in the game based on those collisions, making raycasting a powerful tool for managing interactions and gameplay experiences.