Interference Patterns

Interference patterns occur when two or more waves overlap and combine. This can happen with light, sound, or water waves. When the peaks of one wave align with the peaks of another, they create a stronger wave (constructive interference). Conversely, if a peak aligns with a trough, they cancel each other out (destructive interference). The result is a pattern of alternating bright and dark areas, or loud and quiet spots. This phenomenon underlies various concepts in physics, such as the behavior of light in experiments like the double-slit, revealing key insights about the nature of waves and particles.