Travelling wave
Travelling wave is an interactive experiment in Oscillations & Waves, a free simulation from StudyFi Lab that runs right in your browser.
The wave y = A·sin(kx − ωt + φ) moves to the right at v = λ·f, where λ is the wavelength (the distance between two neighbouring crests) and f is the frequency. The marked particle only moves up and down — the wave carries energy, not matter.
Try this: Double the frequency and watch how the speed v changes. Then double the wavelength.
Frequently asked questions
What does the “Travelling wave” experiment show?
The wave y = A·sin(kx − ωt + φ) moves to the right at v = λ·f, where λ is the wavelength (the distance between two neighbouring crests) and f is the frequency. The marked particle only moves up and down — the wave carries energy, not matter.
How do I try “Travelling wave”?
Double the frequency and watch how the speed v changes. Then double the wavelength.
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