How is light's behavior categorized when it is viewed as a wave?

When light is viewed as a wave, its behavior is characterized by the phenomenon of interference patterns. This occurs when two or more waves overlap and combine, leading to regions of constructive and destructive interference. Constructive interference happens when the peaks of the waves align, enhancing the overall amplitude, while destructive interference occurs when a peak of one wave coincides with the trough of another, reducing the overall amplitude. This behavior can be demonstrated through experiments such as the double-slit experiment, which vividly illustrates how light can create patterns of light and dark bands on a screen due to its wave nature.

This understanding of light as a wave is significant in various applications, including optics and telecommunications, where the wave properties of light are utilized to manipulate and transmit information.