Constructive Wave Interference

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Flash

During the time when one wave passes through another we say that the waves interfere. It is really not correct to say that the waves collide or hit, although this is often how such an interaction is termed.

When the crest of one wave passes through, or is superpositioned upon, the crest of another wave, we say that the waves constructively interfere. Constructive interference also occurs when the trough of one wave is superpositioned upon the trough of another wave.

During any wave interference the shape of the medium is determined by the sum of the separate amplitudes of each wave. We often say that when waves interfere, amplitudes add.

Using the arrow buttons step through the above animation to see how the amplitudes add during constructive interference. Notice that in this animation the crest of the red wave constructively interferes with the crest of the blue wave.

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