What happens to waves when they combine in phase?

When waves combine in phase, they align in such a way that their peaks and troughs coincide, resulting in constructive interference. This occurs when the peaks of one wave align with the peaks of another wave, effectively reinforcing each other. As a result, the combined amplitude of the waves is greater than the amplitude of each individual wave. This phenomenon is fundamental in wave physics and is crucial for applications such as phased array ultrasonic testing, where maximizing signal strength is essential for accurate readings.

The other choices do not accurately describe the behavior of waves combining in phase. Cancellation occurs when waves combine out of phase, leading to destructive interference. Energy dissipation typically refers to the loss of amplitude in a system, which is not relevant in the context of waves that combine constructively. Divergence implies that waves are spreading apart, whereas in-phase combinations lead to a reinforcement of the wave energy rather than a separation.