In optical interference, destructive wavelengths are ________.

In optical interference, destructive wavelengths refer specifically to light waves that are out of phase, which leads to cancellation. This occurs when two waves meet such that the crest of one wave aligns with the trough of another. When this happens, the two waves effectively offset each other, resulting in a reduction or complete cancellation of the amplitude at that point. This phenomenon is a key aspect of wave behavior and is central to understanding how interference patterns form, such as in thin films or diffraction gratings.

The concept of destructive interference is crucial in various applications like noise-canceling headphones and engineering optics, where controlling wave interactions is essential for desired outcomes.