Superposition Principle of Wave last modified :




This java applet shows the "Superposition Principle of wave"

When two or more wave moving through the same region of space,

Blue colored wave + green colored wave ==> red colored wave

    Blue wave moving toward right,(with fixed frequency f)

    Press the -/+ button: change the direction of green wave.

    two waves with same frequency and amplitude but opposite direction ==> standarding wave.

    What if two wave with different amplitude?

TextField input:

    Wavelength: enter wavelength λ for blue/yellow waves,

    Frequency: enter frequency f for blue/yellow waves,

    Wave is not necessary moves with the same speed.

    We can calculate wave speed v = f*λ

    Waves with two different wavelength produce beats phenomenon. (sample GIF picture)

Change parameters with mouse

    Change phase between two waves:

      Move mouse near the center line, click mouse button and drag it left or right

    Change amplitude for each wave

      Move mouse near the highest point of wave, click mouse button and drag it up and down.

    Suspend the animation: click the mouse button.

        click left mouse button The animation resumes

        when the mouse button is released

        click right mouse button The animation resumes

        when click mouse button again

Click mouse button twice quickly to change the time scale:


Your comments/suggestions are highly appreciated. My E-mail hwang@phy03.phy.ntnu.edu.tw

Author:Fu-Kwun Hwang Dept. of physics  National Taiwan Normal University