What occurs when two out-of-phase waves of equal amplitude interfere?

When two waves are out-of-phase and have equal amplitude, they will undergo what is known as complete destructive interference. This phenomenon occurs when the crest of one wave aligns with the trough of another wave, effectively canceling each other out. As a result, the overall amplitude of the combined wave becomes zero at those points of interference.

In the context of this scenario, since the amplitudes are equal and they are perfectly out-of-phase (180 degrees apart), the waves effectively negate each other completely during interference. This leads to no resultant wave being produced in those areas of overlap, demonstrating the principle of destructive interference in wave physics.

Understanding this concept is crucial in sonography and ultrasound imaging, as it relates to how sound waves interact and can influence image clarity and quality based on wave behavior.