This simulator plots two independent sinusoidal waves and, directly beneath them, their point-by-point sum — the superposition principle in action. Adjust each wave's amplitude and the phase shift between them to move continuously from fully constructive interference (crests aligning with crests) to fully destructive interference (crests aligning with troughs) and every partial case in between.
• Two independently controllable sine waves stacked above a third trace showing their exact sum. • Adjustable amplitude for each wave and a phase-shift control (0° to 360°) applied to the second wave. • A live interference-type readout that classifies the current phase relationship as constructive, destructive, or partial. • A live resultant peak-amplitude readout computed directly from the summed waveform.
When two waves occupy the same space, the net displacement at every point is simply the sum of what each wave would produce there alone — no more, no less. At 0° phase shift, crest lines up with crest and the waves reinforce (constructive interference), producing a resultant amplitude up to the sum of the two individual amplitudes. At 180° phase shift, crest lines up with trough and the waves tend to cancel (destructive interference), producing a resultant amplitude as low as the difference between the two individual amplitudes.
When two or more waves overlap in the same medium, the net displacement at any point and instant is the algebraic sum of the displacements each wave would produce individually there — this simulator computes that sum directly, point by point.
A 0° phase shift (the two waves perfectly in step) produces maximum constructive interference, where the resultant amplitude approaches the sum of the two individual amplitudes.
A 180° phase shift (the two waves exactly out of step) produces destructive interference. If both waves have equal amplitude at 180°, they cancel completely.
It assumes two idealized, non-attenuating sine waves of a single frequency each superimposing in an infinite uniform medium — there is no modeling of real multi-frequency sound, dispersion, or spatially varying interference patterns like those seen in a ripple tank.