Interference: How Waves Combine to Cancel or Amplify

Interference happens when two or more waves meet and overlap in the same space.
If their crests and troughs line up, they create constructive interference—a bigger wave.
If a crest meets a trough, they create destructive interference—canceling each other out.
Noise-canceling headphones use destructive interference to block unwanted sounds.
Water waves can form striking patterns of ripples where interference occurs.
Light waves produce colorful effects, like the shimmering rainbow on soap bubbles or oil films.
Interference proves that waves carry energy and can add or subtract it in real time.
In music, interference explains why some notes sound harmonious while others clash.
Engineers harness interference in lasers, holograms, and wireless communication systems.
From vanishing sounds to dazzling colors, interference is the art of waves mixing their energy.