What technical principle does Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) utilize to nullify sound waves?

Answer

Destructive interference

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) functions based on the fundamental physics principle of destructive interference. This process involves the system using internal microphones to detect the incoming ambient noise wave. It then instantaneously generates an equal and opposite sound wave, referred to as 'anti-noise,' by reversing the phase of the detected signal. When the original sound wave (e.g., a peak) meets this artificially created inverted wave (a trough), they effectively cancel each other out, resulting in a reduction or elimination of the unwanted sound energy at the listener's ear.

What technical principle does Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) utilize to nullify sound waves?
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