Constructive Destruction by James Burns

James Burns

Natural

"Constructive Destruction"

 

Waves approach the shore from different angles, and therefore have differing path lengths. This causes waves to interact both constructively and destructively at different points in accordance with the superposition principle. This principle states that two waves traveling through the same medium at the same time pass through each other without being disturbed. The net amplitude of interacting waves is simply the summation of the amplitudes of each individual wave at any given point in their interference. Constructive interference causes an increase in wave height. This type of interference occurs when waves overlap at whole number intervals. Destructive interference causes a decrease in wave height, or a trough. This type of interference occurs when waves overlap at half number intervals. In the picture, one can see alternating crests and troughs caused by the interaction of the waves.

 

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