Ripple Lab Studio

A modern, lab-ready ripple tank simulation built as a replacement for the Falstad ripple tank interface.

This project is designed around your original activity flow:

• Diffraction
• Diffraction around an obstacle wall
• Reflection (flat, diagonal, parabolic)
• Refraction (boundary and angled boundary)
• Interference (two coherent sources)

Why this version is better for class use

• Modern visual design with high-contrast themes and responsive layout.
• Guided observation prompts aligned to each physics concept.
• Preset scenarios so students focus on the intended phenomenon first.
• Control-of-variables friendly UI with clear, labeled sliders.
• Accessibility options including reduced motion mode and calmer color themes.
• Quantitative readouts (local displacement/speed, predicted wavelength estimates).
• Optional absorbing boundaries so edge reflections are off by default.
• In-canvas amplitude probe tool for point measurements.
• Worksheet response panel with DOCX export for completed student work.

Quick start

No dependencies are required.

1. Open a terminal in this repo.
2. Run a local static server:

python3 -m http.server 8000

3. Open http://localhost:8000/src/index.html.

Controls

• Preset: switches between lab phenomena.
• Pause / Step / Clear Waves / Reset Preset: structured exploration workflow.
• Frequency, Amplitude, Damping Loss (0% allowed), Simulation Speed: wave behavior controls.
• Wave Type: plane, point, dual in-phase/out-of-phase, and angled plane sources.
• Geometry controls appear only when relevant to the selected preset (including movable/resizable obstacle box in wall diffraction).
• Direct manipulation: drag on-canvas handles to move and resize mirrors, slit openings, boundaries, and sources.
• View Mode: top-down field view or 3D surface view.
• Edge Behavior: absorbing edges (default, no end-wall reflections) or reflective walls.
• Enable amplitude probe: place/drag a probe and read local amplitude + peak.
• Show estimated node lines: highlights stable destructive-interference bands.
• Reduced motion mode: lowers visual intensity and frame rate.
• Save Screenshot: downloads a PNG of the current simulation frame.
• Download Notes DOCX: downloads a .docx document with screenshot, settings, worksheet responses, and student notes.

Keyboard shortcuts:

• Space: Play/pause
• R: Clear waves
• S: Save screenshot

Startup behavior:

• The simulation starts paused by default; waves begin only after pressing Play.

Repository structure

• /Users/vladimir.lopez/Documents/Projects/AI/Ripple Tank Sim/src/index.html - UI layout and control panels
• /Users/vladimir.lopez/Documents/Projects/AI/Ripple Tank Sim/src/styles.css - visual system and responsive styling
• /Users/vladimir.lopez/Documents/Projects/AI/Ripple Tank Sim/src/main.js - ripple solver, presets, and interaction logic
• /Users/vladimir.lopez/Documents/Projects/AI/Ripple Tank Sim/docs/simulation-plan.md - implementation plan and roadmap
• /Users/vladimir.lopez/Documents/Projects/AI/Ripple Tank Sim/docs/lab-alignment.md - mapping from your lab steps to simulator presets

Next build targets

• Measurement tools (angle ruler, wavelength ruler, live probe graph).
• Optional challenge mode with prediction checkpoints.
• Teacher dashboard for preset locking and class pacing.