Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Constructive interference occurs when two or more waves combine to create a larger amplitude, resulting in an increase in the overall intensity of the wave.
Related terms
Destructive interference: Destructive interference happens when two or more waves combine to create a smaller amplitude, resulting in a decrease in the overall intensity of the wave.
Superposition principle: The superposition principle states that when multiple waves overlap, the total displacement at any point is equal to the sum of displacements caused by each individual wave.
Interference pattern: An interference pattern is a pattern formed by overlapping waves that have undergone either constructive or destructive interference. It can be observed in phenomena like diffraction and double-slit experiments.