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Interference

The interaction between two, or more, waves.

  1. Superposition of Waves

  2. Coherence and Path DIfference

  3. Phase and Phase Difference

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1. Superposition of Waves

Waves can pass through other waves, like ripples on a pond, with their combined amplitude the sum of the individual displacements at any one time - the principle of superposition.

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2. Coherence and Path Difference

Coherent waves have a constant phase difference.

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Coherence, path difference and phase difference are really important subjects to consider when we look at the interference of waves and how this leads onto double slit and diffraction grating patterns.

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3. Phase and Phase Difference

A little more about these two terms and why we measure the phase difference of a waves in degrees or radians.

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