Constructive interference and destructive interference are two phenomena that occur when waves interact with each other.
1. **Constructive interference:**
- Occurs when two waves meet each other crest-to-crest or trough-to-trough.
- The resulting wave is larger in amplitude than the individual waves.
- This happens because the peaks and troughs align, reinforcing each other.
- Imagine two people pushing a swing at the same time, making it swing higher.
2. **Destructive interference:**
- Happens when waves meet crest-to-trough.
- In this case, the two waves partially or completely cancel each other out.
- The resulting wave has an amplitude that is smaller than the individual waves.
- It's like two people pushing a swing in opposite directions, causing it to slow down or stop.
In summary, constructive interference amplifies the waves, making them stronger when they align, while destructive interference weakens the waves when they are out of phase.
