What occurs when two or more light waves superpose to create a composite wave?

When two or more light waves superpose to create a composite wave, the phenomenon that occurs is known as interference. This process involves the combination of the amplitudes of the individual waves at any given point in space and time. If the waves are in phase, their amplitudes add together to create a wave of greater amplitude, which is referred to as constructive interference. Conversely, if the waves are out of phase, they can partially or fully cancel each other out, leading to destructive interference.

Interference is a fundamental concept in wave physics, observable in various situations, such as thin film interference seen in soap bubbles or oil slicks on water, where vibrant colors emerge due to different path lengths of light reflecting off various surfaces. This showcases the wave nature of light and how multiple wavefronts can interact, resulting in complex patterns that reveal information about the light's characteristics.

Reflection, diffraction, and dispersion are distinct phenomena related to light waves but do not describe the superposition of waves in the same manner. Reflection involves bouncing off surfaces, diffraction pertains to the spreading of waves when passing through a narrow aperture or around obstacles, and dispersion refers to the separation of light into its constituent colors as it passes through a medium, such as a prism.