Two point sources, one ripple tank. Watch constructive and destructive interference fringes form and shift as you tune the waves.
Wave Interference StudioLive
two-source interference · ripple tank
Controls
Two point sources emit circular waves — where they meet, you see constructive and destructive interference fringes. Drag either source on the canvas to reposition it and watch the pattern update live.
Reading this result: Wavelength is about 15.7 px and the two sources sit 100 px apart. Bright fringes appear where the path difference to the two sources equals a whole number of wavelengths (constructive interference); dark fringes fall halfway between, where the difference is a half-wavelength (destructive interference). Shrinking the wavelength or widening the separation would pack more fringes into the same space.
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How it works
Two sources emit circular waves whose amplitudes add at every point. Where crests meet crests you get bright constructive fringes; where crest meets trough they cancel. It's the same physics behind the double-slit experiment and diffraction gratings.
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The math, the assumptions, real-world uses, or a code translation — explained for this exact simulation.
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The solver uses established numerical methods, but results are for research and educational purposes and should be validated against experiment or professional review before you rely on them.