Sinusoidal Explorer
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Introduction

This is a demonstration of sinusoids and their parameters: frequency, phase, amplitude, and offset. You can sum two sine waves or multiply them to see the different effects.

The tool

You can choose to plot either sinewave. These are shown in the top plot; the bottom plot shows the result from either summing or multiplying the signals. You can also choose to send the resultant signal to the Fourier Explorer, or the Sonogram Explorer to look at its spectrum.

Things to investigate

1. What factors determine constructive and deconstructive interference?
2. Why is the sound so different when multiplying or adding sines?

Further reading

Credits

Produced by Bob L. Sturm and Dr. Jerry Gibson.
Release date: September 2, 2003
Copyright 2003 University of California, Santa Barbara