Linear Source: During Run mode, the linear source generates "ripple" waves with approximately linear fronts. You can only place linear sources in Ripple Tanks. Once you put a linear source in a Ripple Tank, you can move it freely within the tank, but you cannot move it out of that tank.

To place a linear source, click in the Ripple Tank, then drag out the linear source in the direction and to the length you desire. You can later change the length and direction of the linear source by resizing it.

In the linear source's Properties Box, you can set the wave frequency to between 1 and 5 Hz; choose the wave amplitude; and set the initial phase angle (in radians) of emitted waves. You can make the linear source an ideal source, which means that generated waves have perfectly linear fronts, i.e., the wave fronts exhibit no edge effects.

You can also put the linear source in single pulse mode, which means the linear source generates a single wave and then shuts off. For single pulse mode, the Ripple Tank's begin time must be set equal to zero.

Linear sources are the only Ripple Tank elements that work when the Ripple Tank has a movable bottom. However, sources set to work as ideal sources function as normal linear sources, complete with edge effects.