Wave Tank
by ArcadeLabA water tank for exploring how waves behave. Tap the surface to send circular ripples spreading outward, then switch on a second source and watch two sets of waves cross. Where crests meet they pile up into bright bands; where a crest meets a trough they cancel into calm dark bands. That pattern — interference — is how scientists understand sound, light, and every other kind of wave.
Frequently asked
What is wave interference?
Interference is what happens when two waves overlap. Where two crests meet they add up into a bigger wave (constructive interference). Where a crest meets a trough they cancel out into stillness (destructive interference).
Why do bright and dark bands appear with two sources?
Each point in the tank is a different distance from the two sources. At some spots the waves always arrive in step and reinforce — bright bands. At others they arrive out of step and cancel — dark bands.
Do real waves do this too?
Yes. Water, sound, and light waves all interfere the same way. The interference of light is what creates the colorful patterns you see in soap bubbles and on CDs.