Animations of Acoustic Waves

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WAVE BASICS

 

 

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WAVE INTERACTION

 

 

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 STANDING WAVES

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HEARING SOUNDS

 

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FURTHER CONCEPTS

 

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LEARN MORE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

University of Southampton
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON

 

WAVE INTERACTION
   
Summary
 

 

 

SUPERPOSITION OF WAVES

Waves can be combined together in such a manner as to cause either constructive  or destructive interference. 

 

 

REFLECTION

One dimensional waves reflecting from boundaries can be decomposed into two component waves.  The phase of the reflected wave depends on the kind of boundary.  Three dimensional waves reflecting from boundaries create more complicated patterns.

 

 

REFRACTION

When waves travel into a medium with a different wave speed they are refracted and travel in a different direction.  This change of direction can be found from Snells law.

 

 

DIFFRACTION

Diffraction involves the bending of waves as they pass through narrow openings or around corners.

 

 

INTERFERENCE

Patterns of constructive and destructive interference are produced when two sources (or more) generate waves that combine together in such a manner as to cause either constructive or destructive effects.

 

 

MOVING SOURCES

Sound sources moving towards an observer are perceived as having a higher frequency, and vice versa.

 

   

WAVE INTERACTION

   
   

   

Moving Sources