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Barney Taylor
This Java applet shows the addition of two waves interacting on a string. One has a fixed amplitude of +2 and travels to the right; the amplitude of the second wave may be adjusted (full, half or zero and positive or negative) and travels to the left. This simulation was developed to promote understanding of the Superposition Principle: the resulting wave from any number of waves interacting with each other is the algebraic sum of all of the waves at every instant. Although simple, it is quite elegant in depicting the process so that it is comprehensible for adolescent learners.
This item is part of a larger collection of Java applets by the same author.
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Author: Micah S http://physics.ham.miamioh.edu/waveapplets/pulseadd.htm
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Post a new comment on this item This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.
Topic: Wave Energy
Unit Title: How Waves Move and Interact: Reflection, Refraction, Interference Exactly what happens to the amplitude of two waves on a single line when they meet each other? Their amplitudes add. This easy simulation helps students visualize exactly what is happening mathematically when two pulse waves "interfere" on a string. They can slow the motion down to get a close look at the two wave graphs. Be sure to ask them what happens if the two waves have the same frequency but one is positive and one negative (they cancel out at the point of greatest interference). Links to Units:
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Record Link
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=8741">Taylor, Barney. Wave Phenomena Simulations: Pulse Addition Applet. November 4, 2007.</a>
AIP Format
B. Taylor, (2004), WWW Document, (http://physics.ham.miamioh.edu/waveapplets/pulseadd.htm).
AJP/PRST-PER
B. Taylor, Wave Phenomena Simulations: Pulse Addition Applet (2004), <http://physics.ham.miamioh.edu/waveapplets/pulseadd.htm>.
APA Format
Taylor, B. (2007, November 4). Wave Phenomena Simulations: Pulse Addition Applet. Retrieved April 27, 2025, from http://physics.ham.miamioh.edu/waveapplets/pulseadd.htm
Chicago Format
Taylor, Barney. Wave Phenomena Simulations: Pulse Addition Applet. November 4, 2007. http://physics.ham.miamioh.edu/waveapplets/pulseadd.htm (accessed 27 April 2025).
MLA Format
Taylor, Barney. Wave Phenomena Simulations: Pulse Addition Applet. 2004. 4 Nov. 2007. 27 Apr. 2025 <http://physics.ham.miamioh.edu/waveapplets/pulseadd.htm>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{
Author = "Barney Taylor",
Title = {Wave Phenomena Simulations: Pulse Addition Applet},
Volume = {2025},
Number = {27 April 2025},
Month = {November 4, 2007},
Year = {2004}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Barney Taylor %T Wave Phenomena Simulations: Pulse Addition Applet %D November 4, 2007 %U http://physics.ham.miamioh.edu/waveapplets/pulseadd.htm %O application/java
EndNote Export Format
%0 Electronic Source %A Taylor, Barney %D November 4, 2007 %T Wave Phenomena Simulations: Pulse Addition Applet %V 2025 %N 27 April 2025 %8 November 4, 2007 %9 application/java %U http://physics.ham.miamioh.edu/waveapplets/pulseadd.htm Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. This resource is stored in 4 shared folders. You must login to access shared folders. |
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