Science Snacks: interference | Exploratorium

Science activity that explores how waves travel and interact

Anti-Sound Spring

Send waves down a spring to watch them travel and interact.

$Science activity that demonstrates diffraction using a candle or flashlight bulb and two pencils$

Demonstrate diffraction using a candle and two pencils.

Science activity to investigate patterns in laser light

Test your vision—just by moving your head.

Science activity that demonstrates light wave interference

Imperfect alignment can lead to interesting patterns.

Science activity that demonstrates wave interference

On the Fringe (formerly Bridge Light)

Air trapped between two pieces of clear plastic produces rainbow-colored interference patterns.

Science activity that models light wave interference

Soap Film Interference Model

Model the behavior of light reflecting off soap film surfaces.

Science activity that demonstrates light interference in soap

Soap Film on a Can

Why do we see colors in soap bubbles?

Science activity that uses gravity to turn soap film into an ever-shifting array of colors

Soap Film Painting

Gravity turns soap film into an ever-shifting, colorful masterpiece.

Science activity that explores frequencies, forced vibrations, and resonance

Spaghetti Resonance

Demonstrate resonance by shaking dried spaghetti.

Science activity that demonstrates Thomas Young's two-slit experiment

Two-Slit Experiment

Send waves down a spring to watch them travel and interact.

A science activity that demonstrates the two-slit interference phenomenon

Two-Slit Wave Model

Use index cards to show how light plus light equals dark.