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In an interference pattern, the energy is:

1. created at the positions of maxima
2. destroyed at the positions of minima
3. conserved but redistributed
4. not conserved

Correct answer: conserved but redistributed

Solution

Interference merely redistributes energy across the pattern. The energy that is absent at minima (dark fringes) is added to the maxima (bright fringes), so the total energy is conserved.

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