What is the relation between interference and wave superposition?

Interference is a phenomenon that results from the superposition of two or more waves.

Interference and wave superposition are two fundamental concepts in wave physics. They are closely related as interference is essentially the result of wave superposition. Superposition is the process by which two or more waves combine to form a new wave. When two waves meet, they interact with each other. This interaction can either be constructive, where the waves add together to form a larger wave, or destructive, where they cancel each other out to form a smaller wave or no wave at all. This is the principle of superposition.

Interference, on the other hand, is the observable effect of superposition. It is the pattern that results when two or more coherent waves combine and superpose. Interference can be seen in various phenomena such as the colourful patterns seen in soap bubbles and oil films, the beats in sound waves, and the dark and bright fringes in the double-slit experiment.

In the context of light waves, for instance, when two light waves superpose, they interfere to produce a pattern of bright and dark bands. The bright bands occur where the waves are in phase (constructive interference) and the dark bands occur where the waves are out of phase (destructive interference). This is known as an interference pattern and it provides strong evidence for the wave nature of light.

In summary, interference is the physical manifestation of the principle of superposition. It is the pattern that results when waves combine, whether they reinforce each other (constructive interference) or cancel each other out (destructive interference). Understanding these concepts is crucial in the study of wave physics, as they underpin many of the phenomena and applications associated with waves.