What is the term for the condition when two waves arrive at the same point out of phase to create zero total disturbance?

Destructive interference occurs when two waves arrive at the same point out of phase, meaning that the crest of one wave aligns with the trough of another. In such cases, the amplitudes of the waves effectively cancel each other out, leading to a situation where the total disturbance at that point is zero. This principle is fundamental in wave mechanics and is often illustrated by the example of sound waves or water waves.

In contrast, constructive interference results in an increase in amplitude when two waves are in phase. A phase shift refers to a change in the displacement of a wave and does not necessarily involve cancellation of the waves. An interference pattern showcases the combined effect of multiple overlapping waves but does not specifically indicate the condition of zero disturbance.