Wave Motion Simulation
This simulation is a general-purpose wave viewer: choose transverse or longitudinal, set the frequency and amplitude, and watch how the wave carries energy along without carrying the medium with it.
How to use this simulation
- Switch between transverse and longitudinal modes
- Change frequency, wavelength and amplitude
- Mark a particle and follow its displacement
What to look for
- Particles oscillate in place while the wave profile travels
- Raising the frequency shortens the wavelength at fixed speed
- Doubling the amplitude quadruples the energy carried
The physics behind it
A wave transfers energy through a medium while each particle oscillates about a fixed position. Wave speed is v = fλ, and for mechanical waves it is set by the medium's properties, not the source — so changing the frequency changes the wavelength to compensate. Amplitude governs the energy carried, rising with its square.