Wave Field
See wave interference and standing-wave patterns
See how waves reinforce or cancel each other. Compare source arrangements and connect circular motion with sine and cosine.
Key idea
Superposition adds wave displacements at each point. Waves can reinforce or cancel depending on their relative phase. A quiet-looking region can therefore result from interacting waves, rather than an absence of sources.
Try this first
Begin with two sources and compare regions where their waves reinforce or cancel. Change the phase while keeping the source arrangement fixed. Then compare a different view to connect the moving wave picture with the same underlying parameters.
How to get started
- Add sources and set their frequency.
- Drag them to see the interference pattern.
- Switch between plane, volume and trig views.
Explore a little further
Try another experiment
Keep the source positions fixed and vary only their relative phase. Follow one region that changes from reinforcement to cancellation. Then move a source and compare how the spatial pattern changes.
Good to know
The views are models of wave relationships. Color and opacity visualize calculated quantities and should not be interpreted as a measurement of pressure in a real room.
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