HTML5 Physics Demo

Wave motion with a tracked particle

Compare transverse and longitudinal waves, tune the motion, and spotlight one particle to show that the medium vibrates locally while the disturbance carries energy onward.

Pause

Wave Type

Particles move up and down while the wave travels horizontally.

Wave Controls

Amplitude 40 m Frequency 0.70 Hz Wavelength 220 m Wave speed 154 m/s

wavelength = 154 m/s ÷ 0.70 Hz = 220 m

Change one variable to see which quantity is held fixed and how the others update.

Medium Controls

Particle count 49 Particle size 8 m Highlighted particle 25 Show guide wave/envelope Show explanatory labels Show tracked marker guide line

Teaching focus

The highlighted particle oscillates around its equilibrium position. It does not travel across the screen with the wavefront.

Use the tracked marker button to show or hide the default watched particle or bar.

Main View

Particles in the medium

Transverse wave Energy pulse moving right