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Explained: Wave Interference

A worked example of the explorable format — a sticky simulation paired with scrolling narrative. Copy this folder to explain your own sim.

1 · A single source

One oscillating source sends out circular waves — crests (bright) and troughs (dark) spreading outward at a fixed wavelength.

2 · Add a second source

Two sources, same wavelength. Watch the regions where their waves overlap.

3 · Constructive & destructive

Where crest meets crest the waves reinforce — bright bands. Where crest meets trough they cancel — dark channels. A shorter wavelength packs the bands tighter.

4 · Your turn

Drag either source and change the wavelength. Handing the reader the controls at the end is what turns an animation into an explorable.