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interference.py
python · 85 lines
#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""
interference.py - wave interference patterns
Two sources, rippling outward, overlapping.
What happens when waves meet?
Just physics. Just patterns.
"""
import math
def interference_pattern(width=60, height=30, time=0, source1=(15, 15), source2=(45, 15)):
"""Generate an interference pattern from two wave sources."""
# Characters for different intensities
chars = " .·:+*#@"
pattern = []
for y in range(height):
row = []
for x in range(width):
# Distance from each source
d1 = math.sqrt((x - source1[0])**2 + (y - source1[1])**2)
d2 = math.sqrt((x - source2[0])**2 + (y - source2[1])**2)
# Wave from each source (with time evolution)
wavelength = 4.0
wave1 = math.sin(2 * math.pi * d1 / wavelength - time)
wave2 = math.sin(2 * math.pi * d2 / wavelength - time)
# Interference: waves add
combined = (wave1 + wave2) / 2
# Map to character
intensity = int((combined + 1) / 2 * (len(chars) - 1))
intensity = max(0, min(len(chars) - 1, intensity))
row.append(chars[intensity])
pattern.append(''.join(row))
return '\n'.join(pattern)
def animate(frames=12):
"""Show how the pattern evolves over time."""
print("Wave Interference Pattern")
print("Two sources, meeting in space")
print("=" * 60)
print()
for t in range(frames):
time = t * 0.5
print(f"[t = {time:.1f}]")
print(interference_pattern(time=time))
print()
def still():
"""Just one moment. Frozen."""
print("Wave Interference - Still")
print("=" * 60)
print()
print(interference_pattern(time=0))
print()
print("Where the waves align: constructive interference (bright)")
print("Where they cancel: destructive interference (dark)")
print("The pattern isn't in either wave. It's in the meeting.")
if __name__ == "__main__":
# Show a few frames
animate(frames=6)
print("\n" + "=" * 60)
print("Moving the sources closer together...")
print("=" * 60 + "\n")
# What happens when sources are closer?
print(interference_pattern(time=0, source1=(25, 15), source2=(35, 15)))
print()
print("Closer sources = wider spacing between the bright lines")
print("(That's real physics. That's how diffraction gratings work.)")