Wave Interference

Add two waves. Beats, standing waves and cancellation on one screen.

0/3challenges

t = 0.00 s

Wave AWave B

Wave A

Amplitude

FrequencyHz

Wavelengthm

Phase°

Wave B

Amplitude

FrequencyHz

Wavelengthm

Phase°

Playback speedx

Beat frequency: 0.10Hz
Beat period: 10.00s
Speed of A: 2.00m/s
Speed of B: 2.00m/s

The model

Each wave is y = A sin(kx ∓ ωt + φ) with k = 2π/λ and ω = 2πf. Waves in a linear medium simply add, which is the principle of superposition.

Two close frequencies drift in and out of step, so the envelope pulses at the beat frequency |f₁ - f₂|. Two equal waves moving in opposite directions make a standing wave: nodes that never move, spaced λ/2 apart.

Try this

Load Cancellation, then nudge the phase of wave B away from 180° and watch the sum grow back.

Assumes ideal sinusoidal waves in a linear, lossless medium. Each wave's speed is its own λf, so mismatched pairs are allowed but not physical for one string. Educational model, not an engineering design or validation tool.

Achievements0/3

Silence +30Cancel two strong waves almost completely.
Standing still +20Make a standing wave from two equal waves.
Slow beats +20Make beats with a period between 5 and 20 seconds.

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