Interference: Feynman's Physics Explained
Light is a wave, and waves can add up or cancel out. Crest meets crest and they build a bigger wave — constructive interference. Crest meets trough and they cancel — destructive interference. This simple principle of superposition explains the striking patterns of bright and dark bands when light from two coherent sources overlaps. It is the unmistakable signature of wavelike behavior.
The big idea
Overlapping waves can reinforce or cancel, making bright and dark bands.
Think about it
How can adding more light in some places actually produce darkness?
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