Sound Waves and Destructive Interference question

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To achieve maximum destructive interference between two speakers emitting sound at 550.0 Hz, they should be positioned 1/2 wavelength apart. This configuration ensures that the crest of one sound wave overlaps with the trough of the other, leading to cancellation of the sound. The reason for this placement is rooted in the physics of wave behavior, where in-phase waves can destructively interfere when their path difference equals half a wavelength. Visualizing the waves shows that this overlap occurs precisely at this distance. Understanding this principle is crucial for solving interference-related problems in acoustics.
BrooklynBees
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The problem:
Two speakers emit a sound with a frequency of 550.0Hz. At what distance should they be placed to maximize destructive interference?


I have the steps in solving this problem written on my worksheet, and it says that the speakers should be placed at 1/2 wavelength. The thing I don't understand is WHY they should be placed there. Other than that, I understand how to finish solving the problem. I just don't understand what the deal is with 1/2 wavelength.

Thank you!
 
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You want the sound waves (assumed to be in phase) to destructively interfere? What does this mean in terms of two waves overlapping? i.e. What part of wave 2 must overlap with a crest on wave 1 to cause destructive interference?

You should see (if you draw the waves coming from each speaker to scale) that this overlap will happen if the two speakers are half a wavelength apart.
 
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