What is typically the result when two waves meet?

When two waves meet, they typically undergo a phenomenon known as interference. This can occur in various forms, primarily constructive and destructive interference.

In constructive interference, the waves combine in such a way that their amplitudes add together, resulting in a wave of greater amplitude. On the other hand, in destructive interference, the waves meet out of phase, causing their amplitudes to partially or completely cancel each other out. This interplay between the two waves can lead to a complex wave pattern, depending on their relative phases and amplitudes.

Since interference encompasses a range of behaviors, including both amplification and cancellation, it's accurate to assert that waves can interfere with each other in various ways when they meet. This is a fundamental principle of wave physics and underlies many phenomena, such as sound interference in acoustics or the behavior of light waves in optics.