When two waves meet, their amplitudes combine. If the peak of one wave aligns with the trough of another, the resulting amplitude is reduced, potentially to zero. This phenomenon is called destructive interference. For example, imagine two water waves of equal height traveling towards each other. If the crest of one coincides with the trough of the other at a particular point, the water level at that point will remain relatively undisturbed. The degree of cancellation depends on the relative amplitudes and phases of the interacting waves.
Understanding wave interference is fundamental to numerous fields. Noise-canceling headphones utilize this principle to reduce unwanted sound. In optics, destructive interference is responsible for phenomena like thin-film interference, which creates the iridescent colors seen in soap bubbles or oil slicks. Historically, the study of interference patterns provided crucial evidence for the wave nature of light. Its applications extend to various scientific and engineering disciplines, including acoustics, seismology, and telecommunications.
