Question

The diagram shows monochromatic light passing through two openings.

What do the areas labeled X, Y, and Z represent?

constructive interference in which waves cancel each other out
constructive interference in which waves strengthen each other
destructive interference in which waves cancel each other out
destructive interference in which waves strengthen each other

Answer 1

What do the areas labeled X and Y represent?

A)constructive interference in which waves cancel each other out

B)constructive interference in which waves strengthen each other

C)destructive interference in which waves cancel each other out

D)destructive interference in which waves strengthen each other

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

constructive interference in which waves strengthen each other

Step-by-step explanation:

Some definitions:

- Costructive interference occurs when two (or more) waves meet each other in phase, so with same displacement at the same point. In such situation, the two waves strengthen each other, and the amplitude of the resultant wave is the sum of the amplitudes of the individual waves

- Destructive interference occurs when two waves meet each other in anti-phase, so with opposite displacement at the same point. In such situation, the two waves cancel each other out, and the amplitude of the resultant wave is the difference of the amplitudes of the individual waves (which means zero if the two waves are identical)

For light waves interfering with each other, 'white' means costructive interference, while 'black' means destructive interference (because black is absence of colors, so this means that the waves cancel each other out). In this problem, we see that point X, Y and X are white, therefore they are point of constructive interference, where the waves strengthen each other.