Question

Two identical waves are traveling toward each other in the same medium. One has a positive amplitude, meaning that its peaks only go upward, and the other wave has a negative amplitude, with peaks going downward.

What will occur when the waves peak at the same place at the same time?

constructive interference
destructive interference
a reflecting wave
wave refraction

Answer 1

Destructive Interference is the correct answer

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

The correct answer is Destructive Interference.

Consider the image attached below. Two waves are travelling towards each other. Blue wave always has a positive peak and the red wave always has a negative peak.

Now imagine these waves are moving through a rope. If blue waves will try to move the rope in positive direction, the red wave will pull it down, and thus the two waves will cancel the effect of each other. Thus resulting in a destructive interference.