interference
Also known as phase interference, wave interference
phenomenon in which two coherent waves combine into a resultant wave with greater intensity or lower amplitude
AI overview
Interference happens when two waves overlap and combine to create a new wave that can be either stronger or weaker than the original waves. It matters because it explains many everyday phenomena, from the colors in soap bubbles to how noise-canceling headphones work, and is fundamental to how light and sound behave.
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The interference of two waves. In phase: the two lower waves combine (left panel), resulting in a wave of added amplitude (constructive interference). Out of phase: (here by 180 degrees), the two lower waves combine (right panel), resulting in a wave of zero amplitude (destructive interference). Interfering water waves on the surface of a lake
In physics, interference is a phenomenon in which two coherent waves are combined by adding their intensities or displacements with due consideration for their phase difference. The resultant wave may have greater amplitude (constructive interference) or lower amplitude (destructive interference) if the two waves are in phase or out of phase, respectively. Interference effects can be observed with all types of waves, for example, light, radio, acoustic, surface water waves, gravity waves, or matter waves as well as in loudspeakers as electrical waves.