What Is an Interference Fringe or Pattern?

Interference patterns result when two or more disturbances through space and time, called a wave, intersect or collide, creating a new wave pattern. For example, when two instruments play the same pitch but are not in tune, they create an interference pattern.
  1. The Facts

    • According to Douglas Giancoli's fifth edition of "Physics," an interference pattern can only occur between waves sharing the same properties. For example, a light wave colliding with a sound wave cannot create an interference pattern.

    Example

    • You can easily see interference patterns when you throw two rocks into a pond. When the second rock hits the water, its ripple waves collide with the first rock's ripples to create a new pattern.

    Types

    • Interference can be constructive or destructive. Constructive interference occurs with waves "in phase"--when the troughs and crests of the two waves align. In a destructive interference pattern, the troughs and crests of the waves don't align, as they're "out of phase."

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