COMPLEX WAVE FORMS & FOURIER SYNTHESIS

Note what happens when two waves with the same speed but very different wavelengths meet up. A very odd looking wave form results.

While this program can only add two waves together easily, there is no limit to the number of waves that can be superposed on top of one another. The concept of Fourier Synthesis says that it is possible to synthesize any wave form -- even those pulse forms you saw earlier -- by adding up enough sinusoidal waves.

Now plug in for f(x,t) Amplitude of 3, wavelength of 0.5, frequency of 1, phase shift 0. For g(x,t) -- amplitude of 3, wavelength of 0.5, frequency of .8, phase shift 0. Hit FORWARD and observe the results.

Now try for f(x,t) Amplitude of 3, wavelength of 0.5, frequency of 1, phase shift 0. For g(x,t) -- amplitude of 3, wavelength of 0.45, frequency of 1, phase shift 0. Hit FORWARD and observe the results.

These wave forms that result from two waves that are nearly, but not exactly, matched in frequency or wavelength are known as beats.