How does interference occur in wave phenomena?

Interference occurs when two or more waves meet and interact with each other.

When two waves meet, they combine to form a new wave. This new wave can have a different amplitude, frequency, and wavelength than the original waves. The interaction of the waves can either reinforce or cancel each other out, depending on the phase relationship between them.

Constructive interference occurs when the waves are in phase, meaning their crests and troughs align. When this happens, the amplitude of the resulting wave is greater than the amplitude of the individual waves. This can be seen in the bright fringes of a double-slit experiment.

Destructive interference occurs when the waves are out of phase, meaning their crests and troughs do not align. When this happens, the amplitude of the resulting wave is less than the amplitude of the individual waves. This can be seen in the dark fringes of a double-slit experiment.

Interference can also occur between waves of different frequencies, resulting in beats. When two waves of slightly different frequencies interfere, they produce a wave with a varying amplitude. This can be heard as a pulsing sound.

Interference is an important phenomenon in many areas of physics, including optics, acoustics, and quantum mechanics. It is used in applications such as noise-cancelling headphones, holography, and interferometry.