Quantum mechanics · wave lab

When two solutions meet, they add.

Move the levers to combine two waves. The bright curve is their sum—a visual version of the linearity rule introduced in the MIT lecture.

▶ Built from MIT 8.04, “Defining linearity” · start at 8:43

Wave 1Wave 2Combined solution

RelationshipIn phase

Peak combined amplitude2.00

Linearity checkPass · Δ 0.0000

What this demonstrates

For a linear equation, scaling a solution still yields a solution, and adding two solutions yields another. At each horizontal position, the orange curve is calculated as cyan + violet. The check reports the largest numerical discrepancy; it should stay at zero apart from rounding. Scaling and adding solutions: 8:43 → · Formal result: 14:41 →

Lecture map & grounding

The professor first positions quantum mechanics as a framework for fundamental physics at 2:02 →, then presents linearity as the first of five features at 3:46 →. He uses Maxwell’s equations and coexisting electromagnetic waves as the intuitive example at 6:24 →.