A crest point on a
wave is the maximum value of upward displacement within a cycle. A crest is a point on a
surface wave
In physics, a surface wave is a mechanical wave that propagates along the Interface (chemistry), interface between differing media. A common example is gravity waves along the surface of liquids, such as ocean waves. Gravity waves can also occu ...
where the
displacement of the medium is at a maximum. A trough is the opposite of a crest, so the
minimum or lowest point in a cycle.
When the crests and troughs of two
sine wave
A sine wave, sinusoidal wave, or just sinusoid is a curve, mathematical curve defined in terms of the ''sine'' trigonometric function, of which it is the graph of a function, graph. It is a type of continuous wave and also a Smoothness, smooth p ...
s of equal
amplitude and
frequency intersect or collide, while being in
phase with each other, the result is called ''constructive''
interference and the magnitudes double (above and below the line). When in
antiphase – 180° out of phase – the result is ''destructive'' interference: the resulting wave is the undisturbed line having zero
amplitude.
See also
*
Crest factor
*
Superposition principle
The superposition principle, also known as superposition property, states that, for all linear systems, the net response caused by two or more stimuli is the sum of the responses that would have been caused by each stimulus individually. So tha ...
*
Wave
References
*, 704 pages.
Waves
{{physics-stub