Beats are the result of:

Explanation

Beats are the result of both constructive and destructive interference. When two sound waves of slightly different frequencies overlap, they interfere with each other. Constructive interference leads to increased amplitude (loudness), while destructive interference results in decreased amplitude (softness). This alternating pattern of loud and soft sounds creates the phenomenon known as beats. Option A, diffraction, is unrelated to beats as it involves wave bending. Option B, constructive interference, is only half of the explanation since it fails to account for the alternating pattern. Option D is incorrect because beats are indeed caused by interference.