Thursday, January 13, 2011

Constructive and Destructive Waves

We're learning about sound now as our last unit. Today, I will be talking about constructive vs destructive interference waves.

Constructive waves are when two positive waves collide with each other to create a larger amplitude.

Destructive waves are when two negative waves collide with each other to create a smaller amplitude. If the waves are at the right amplitudes, they can cancel each other out in the aftermath of the collision.

Since larger amplitudes have higher sound volume, constructive waves make sound  louder than destructive waves.