Which of the following describes the behavior of light waves during interference?

Which of the following describes the behavior of light waves during interference?

• A. Light waves only reflect or absorb
• B. Light waves create sound waves
• C. Light waves may combine constructively or destructively
• D. Light waves travel only in straight lines

Answer: (C)

The behavior of light waves during interference is best described by the idea that they may combine constructively or destructively. This phenomenon arises when two or more light waves overlap and interact with each other. When light waves meet in phase — meaning their peaks and troughs align — they combine constructively. This results in increased amplitude, leading to brighter light. In contrast, when light waves meet out of phase, where one wave's peak aligns with another wave's trough, they combine destructively, reducing the overall amplitude and resulting in dimmer light or even cancellation, where no light is present at that point. This principle of constructive and destructive interference is essential in various applications of optics, including the formation of patterns in experiments like the double-slit experiment, as well as in the functioning of devices like interferometers and diffraction gratings. Understanding how these combinations occur is fundamental to grasping how light behaves as a wave.

The behavior of light waves during interference is best described by the idea that they may combine constructively or destructively. This phenomenon arises when two or more light waves overlap and interact with each other.

When light waves meet in phase — meaning their peaks and troughs align — they combine constructively. This results in increased amplitude, leading to brighter light. In contrast, when light waves meet out of phase, where one wave's peak aligns with another wave's trough, they combine destructively, reducing the overall amplitude and resulting in dimmer light or even cancellation, where no light is present at that point.

This principle of constructive and destructive interference is essential in various applications of optics, including the formation of patterns in experiments like the double-slit experiment, as well as in the functioning of devices like interferometers and diffraction gratings. Understanding how these combinations occur is fundamental to grasping how light behaves as a wave.