Energy of Travelling Wave

The simulation shows a pulse or sinusoidal disturbance traveling along a rope that extends out of view, so no reflections occur. As the shape moves, the rope stores strain energy where it is stretched and kinetic energy where it moves, allowing students to see the distribution of total energy along the wave.

Students can select the source type (pulse, sinusoid, or hand‑dragged), and adjust frequency, amplitude and wave speed (tension follows from T = μv²). Additional controls let them change simulation speed, view mode (realistic rope or particle links coloured by strain), and which energy graphs are displayed. In manual mode the hand can be dragged to create custom shapes.

By varying these parameters, learners observe how faster wave speeds transport energy more quickly, how higher amplitudes increase both strain and kinetic energy, and how the relationship between tension and wave speed governs the energy flow in a traveling wave.