Explain the concept of interference of light wa... - SS2 Physics Optics - Wave Optics Question

Interference of light waves is a phenomenon that occurs when two or more coherent light waves superpose and interact with each other. It is a result of the wave nature of light. When two waves meet, their amplitudes combine, resulting in either constructive or destructive interference.

Constructive interference occurs when the crests of two waves align, resulting in the addition of their amplitudes. This leads to regions of increased intensity or brightness in the interference pattern. Destructive interference, on the other hand, occurs when the crests of one wave align with the troughs of another wave, causing the amplitudes to cancel out. This results in regions of reduced or zero intensity in the interference pattern.

The interference pattern is characterised by alternating bright and dark regions called fringes. These fringes are observed due to the varying path differences between the interfering waves. The spacing of the fringes depends on the wavelength of the light, and the overall pattern is determined by the relative phase of the interfering waves.