During constructive interference, what happens to the wave amplitudes?

In the context of constructive interference, when two or more waves meet, they can combine to form a new wave with an amplitude that is the sum of the individual amplitudes. This phenomenon occurs when the waves are in phase, meaning their peaks and troughs align perfectly. As a result, the new wave has a larger amplitude than the individual waves did before they interacted.

Constructive interference is a key concept in wave interactions, often observed in sound waves and light waves, leading to increased intensity in the resultant wave. The combined amplitude is greater than any of the original waves, enhancing the wave's overall energy and effect in that region. Therefore, the correct understanding here is that during constructive interference, the combined amplitude becomes larger, illustrating the principle of superposition in wave behavior.