Jim Kelley wrote:
When a wave is canceled, there is no wave.

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/j...ons/index.html

"... when two waves of equal amplitude and wavelength that are
180-degrees ... out of phase with each other meet, they are not
actually annihilated, ... All of the photon energy present in
these waves must somehow be recovered or redistributed in a new
direction, according to the law of energy conservation ... Instead,
upon meeting, the photons are redistributed to regions that permit
constructive interference, so the effect should be considered as
a redistribution of light waves and photon energy rather than
the spontaneous construction or destruction of light."

The canceled waves are "not annihilated" even though there is, as
you say, no wave in the direction of cancellation. The energy in
the canceled waves is "redistributed" in the opposite direction
in the transmission line as constructive interference. We hams call
that event a "reflection".
--
73, Cecil http://www.w5dxp.com