Traveling wave simulator
A wave is a disturbance that carries energy from place to place without carrying the material along with it. Change the amplitude, wavelength and frequency of this transverse wave to see the wave speed v = fλ and the period T = 1/f, and follow one particle as it moves up and down while the wave travels sideways.
What if you changed…
Track the orange particle. Does it travel along with the wave?
See the calculation
- Wave speed = frequency × wavelength = 0.5 × 4 = 2 m/s.
- Period = 1/f = 2 s.
- Particle displacement is y = 1 sin(2π(x/4 − 0.5t)).
What this model assumes
An ideal transverse sinusoidal wave. Frequency and wavelength are independently set; wave speed changes with their product.
Keep an eye on this
Wave speed is not the same as the up-and-down speed of an individual particle.
Understand the physics ↗Formulas used in this simulation
- Wave speed
- v = fλ
- Frequency × wavelength
- Period
- T = 1/f
- Time for one complete cycle
- Wavelength
- λ = v/f
- Distance between neighbouring crests
- Traveling sine wave
- y = A sin(2π(x/λ − ft))
- Moves in the +x direction
Traveling wave explorer: common questions
Wondering about the why? Start here.
What is a wave in physics?
A wave is a repeating disturbance that transfers energy through a medium or through space. The particles of the medium oscillate around fixed positions; they do not travel along with the wave.
What is the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?
In a transverse wave, such as a wave on a string, the particles move perpendicular to the direction of travel. In a longitudinal wave, such as sound in air, they move parallel to it.
How do you calculate wave speed?
Multiply frequency by wavelength: v = fλ. A 2 Hz wave with crests 3 m apart travels at 6 m/s.
Does increasing amplitude make the wave faster?
Not in this ideal model. Speed is set by fλ; amplitude changes the size of the displacement.
Can frequency and wavelength vary independently in a real medium?
In a nondispersive medium with fixed wave speed, their product stays constant. This explorer allows both inputs so you can compare the resulting speeds.