Waves

Introduction. Water, sound and light

Make waves with a dripping faucet, an audio speaker or a laser! Adjust the frequency and amplitude, and observe the effects. Listen to the sound produced by the speaker and find out what determines the color of the light.

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Plane and circular waves I

Plane waves and circular waves can be generated in a wave trough, depending on the type of generator used. Similar to light rays, plane waves do not diverge.

Plane and circular waves II

This simulation represents more realistically plane and circular waves in a wave trough. It explains why the waves are visible on a screen through a back projection system.

Waves in water

If a stone is thrown into a still pool of water, concentric waves are created and spread out around it. If the waves are generated next to a floating object, it can be observed that the object does not move and will only vibrate up and down. This is because, although the wave is displaced, the medium (water in this case) only vibrates vertically.

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Wave propagation

A wave transmits energy through a medium. The medium only vibrates, but does not move. Moreover, there are waves, such as electromagnetic waves, that do not need a medium.