Practical activities designed for use in the classroom with 11- to 19-year-olds.
In partnership with
Ripples crossing: interference
Observing and explaining what happens when pulses and waves pass through each other. Interference effects are fundamental to wave behaviour.
This sequence of experiments allows students to see what happens when pulses and waves pass through each other. Amazingly, the two waves continue on their way as if there had never been an encounter. ‘Interference’ is an unfortunate term because the waves do not interfere with each other but rather pass through each other unchanged.
Experiments
Watching one ripple crossing another
Interference with two sources, using fingers
Interference with two sources, using vibrators
Interference with plastic wave model
Related Guidance
Printer-friendly version
