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Pond Ripples & Reflection (2D)

2D ripple-tank lab: a real finite-difference 2D wave equation solver with adjustable wave speed, source frequency, damping and wall reflectivity — drop pebbles or place continuous sources and watch genuine wavefront reflection and interference off the pond's edges.

Physics & Mechanics2DModerate60 FPS📱 Mobile-adapted⇄ 3D version

This 2D companion replaces the 3D version's decorative shader ripples with a real finite-difference solution of the 2D wave equation: click to drop pebbles or place standing sources, tune wave speed, damping and wall reflectivity, and watch genuine wavefronts bounce off the pond's edges in phase, interfere where two sources overlap, and diffract through an optional slit barrier — every crest and reflection on screen is computed from the physics, not drawn as a decaying ring.

⚙ Under the hood

2D ripple-tank lab with a leapfrog finite-difference wave-equation solver, Neumann reflecting boundaries blended with an absorbing sponge layer, and a rigid slit-barrier obstacle for real diffraction.

wave equationripple tankreflectioninterferencediffractionfinite difference

2D · HTML5 Canvas 2D · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install