Two identical waves traveling in the same direction are superimposed. What should be the phase difference between the waves for maximum destructive interfer...

Two identical waves traveling in the same direction are superimposed. What should be the phase difference between the waves for maximum destructive interference to occur?

Answer Details

When two identical waves traveling in the same direction superimpose, they interfere constructively when their crests coincide and destructively when their crests coincide with troughs. For maximum destructive interference, the phase difference between the two waves should be half of a wavelength, or 180 degrees. This is because when the crest of one wave meets the trough of the other wave, they cancel each other out and the resultant amplitude is zero. Therefore, the correct answer is 180°.