An interference pattern is a phenomenon that occurs when two or more overlapping waves combine, resulting in regions of constructive and destructive interference. This can be observed in various contexts, such as light waves, sound waves, and water waves. The classic example is the double-slit experiment, where light passing through two closely spaced slits creates a pattern of bright and dark fringes on a screen. These patterns arise due to the phase differences between the waves. When waves are in phase, they reinforce each other, creating bright spots, while out-of-phase waves cancel each other out, leading to dark spots. This principle is fundamental in understanding wave behavior and has applications in fields like optics and quantum mechanics.