Wave Interference and Path Differences

When two waves with the same frequency and phase overlap, what type of interference occurs?

• Destructive interference

• Constructive interference

• No interference

• Partial interference

What happens when two waves of the same frequency and amplitude are exactly half a cycle out of phase and overlap?

• Their amplitudes combine to create a larger wave.

• They cancel each other out, resulting in no wave.

• They change their frequencies.

• They reflect off each other.

How do noise-canceling headphones reduce unwanted sound?

• They block all incoming sound waves physically.

• They amplify desired sounds to overpower unwanted noise.

• They generate sound waves that are out of phase with the unwanted noise, causing destructive interference.

• They convert sound waves into electrical signals that are then discarded.

For two waves starting in phase to constructively interfere at a detector, what must be true about the difference in the distance they travel?

• The path difference must be an odd multiple of half a wavelength.

• The path difference must be an integer multiple of the wavelength.

• The path difference must be exactly half a wavelength.

• The path difference must be zero.

When two wave sources are in phase, what path length difference leads to constructive interference?

• An integer multiple of the wavelength.

• A half-integer multiple of the wavelength.

• Any path length difference.

• Zero path length difference only.

For two wave sources that are in phase, what path length difference results in destructive interference?

• An integer multiple of the wavelength.

• A half-integer multiple of the wavelength.

• Zero path length difference.

• Any path length difference.

If two wave sources start 180 degrees out of phase, what path length difference will cause destructive interference?

• An integer multiple of the wavelength.

• A half-integer multiple of the wavelength.

• Only zero path length difference.

• Any path length difference.

When two wave sources start 180 degrees out of phase, what path length difference leads to constructive interference?

• An integer multiple of the wavelength.

• A half-integer multiple of the wavelength.

• Only zero path length difference.

• Any path length difference.