Movies

The movies on this page require the Apple QuickTime plug-in for Netscape or Internet Explorer. If you do not have it, download it, put it in your plug-in folder, and restart your browser. They were made using MatLab 5.0 and Mathematica 2.2.

Traveling Wave:

An example of a traveling wave.

1-D Interference:

1) Two wave pulses interfere constructively.

2) Two wave pulses interfere destructively.

Waves Reflected From Boundaries:

1) Incident and Reflected components of a triangular wave being reflected at a fixed boundary. This movie shows the individual components. Note how they always sum to zero at the fixed point.

2) Reflection of a triangular pulse from a fixed boundary. The total wave function is represented.

3) Reflection of a triangular pulse from a free end. The total wave function is represented.

4) Wave pulse incident upon a heavier string; boundary at x = 0.

5) Wave pulse incident upong a lighter string; boundary at x = 0.

Standing Waves on a String Fixed at Both Ends:

1) The incident and reflected harmonic waves are depicted individually. Note that the sum of the components will produce places where the wave function is always zero (nodes).

2) The total wave function for the standing wave (1) is represented.

3) The fundamental or first harmonic.

4) The first overtone or second harmonic.

Example of a Standing Wave With Two Free Boundaries:

1) Slow motion of cards being shot into a magician's hat. Note the anti-nodes at the ends of the card as it flies into the hat.

Beats and Dispersion:

1) A tutorial on beats, group and phase velocity.

2) An introduction to dispersion.

Large Amplitude Waves:

1) Atmosheric Shock Wave created by hydrogen bomb.

2) Atomic blast creates a longitudinal shock wave hitting trees.

3) Atomic blast creates a longitudinal shock wave hitting a house.

4) In a breaking wave the velocity depends on the transverse displacement of the medium. The top of the wave travels faster than the bottom causing it to break.

5) Solitary waves ("Solitons") act more like particles colliding rather waves interfering. Note the net wave function is not given by superposition. As with a breaking wave, the larger amplitude waves have a greater velocity; however solitons maintain their shape for a long time. Courtesy of Miguel Garcia.

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