The interference of waves refers to the
A)slowing down of one wave in the presence of another.
B)resultant disturbance of two or more waves at every point in the medium.
C)change in wavelength that occurs when two waves cross one another.
D)phase change of 180º that occurs on reflection of a wave at a fixed end.
E)ability of waves to go around corners.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Interference of waves refers to the disturbance that results when two or more waves overlap in a medium. The waves interfere with each other at every point in the medium, resulting in a combined amplitude that can either be larger (constructive interference) or smaller (destructive interference) than the individual amplitudes of the waves. Interference does not necessarily involve a change in the speed or wavelength of the waves, as suggested in choices A and C. The phase change described in choice D refers specifically to reflection at a fixed end, while choice E relates to the phenomenon of diffraction.

The Interference of Waves Refers to the