Exploratorium
Moire Patterns
By overlapping combs and window screening and by looking at a printed set of consecutively larger circles, learners observe Moire patterns, which provide a visual of what happens during wave interference.
Curated OER
Seeing Interference Fringes with a Telescope
Students construct an interferometer using a simple telescope. In this physics instructional activity, students explain how light waves create the fringe patterns. They observe patterns made by different objects in the sky and compare them.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color
The behavior of light waves is introduced and discussed. Also, polarization, color, diffraction, and interference are introduced and discussed thoroughly as supporting evidence of the wave nature of light.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Wave Interference
Conduct virtual experiments with water, sound, and light waves to determine the sine wave and patterns created in each.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Two Point Source Interference
This lesson from the Glenbrook South High School discusses two-point source interference. It gives detail on the difference between constructive and destructive interference, what a two-point source interference is and what happens when...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Wave Interference
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] What wave interference is, constructive and destructive interference and how standing waves occur.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color: Two Point Source Interference
Students examine the findings of Thomas Young's light experiment, which showed that an interference pattern results when light from two sources meets up while traveling through the same medium.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Diffraction and Constructive and Destructive Interference
Article goes into detail about what exactly is interference.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Science of Tsunamis: Seeking Understanding in the Wake of Tragedy
Conduct a demonstration to learn about how waves function in water. Create a poster that shows the physics of waves, how tsunamis work, the devastation caused by the 2004 tsunami or information about relief efforts for the 2004 tsunami.
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Wave Interference: Lesson 2
This lesson will discuss the differences in constructive and destructive wave interference. It is 2 of 2 in the series titled "Wave Interference."
Sophia Learning
Sophia: Wave Interference: Lesson 1
This lesson will discuss the differences between constructive and destructive wave interference. It is 1 of 2 in the series titled "Wave Interference."
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Interference in a Ripple Tank
An investigation, using a ripple tank, into how waves behave when they collide with each other. With an explanation of what is observed, and a link to an article on refraction.