Wave Lab Guide

Pre-Lab

Explore https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/wave-on-a-string/latest/wave-on-a-string_en.html

Post your questions or findings through https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerE8kZX8n3vkyxwGcUD4jxvX-0jKDqwnx3cskKi8WEu6bw5A/viewform?usp=sf_link

Lab Objective

Measure the properties of the wave and find the relationships

Lab Setup

Initial Setup:

  1. Go to https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/wave-on-a-string/latest/wave-on-a-string_en.html
  2. Select Oscillate, No End, Slow Motion in the simulator
  3. Set Amplitude to 0.50cm, Frequency to 1.5Hz, Damping to None,  Tension to High
  4. Check Rulers, Timer, and Reference Line

Data to collect

  • the maximum displacement(the distance between the peak and the orange line) a particle oscillates from the center(Hint: pause the wave and move the reference line to the peak of the wave)
  • the time one green particle finish a complete oscillation(Hint: recall in the previous lab, we measured 10 circles and divide the total time by 10 to make it more precise)

Lab Measurement and Data Collection

Experiment #1 How will the wave change if the amplitude change?

Column A B C D E
# of Trial Amplitude (unit:cm) __________ the maximum displacement (Unit:cm) Frequency(Unit:Hz) The time one green particle finish 10 complete oscillation (Unit:sec) ___________ The average time one green particl finish 1 complete oscillation
1 0.25   1.50    
2 0.50   1.50    
3 0.75   1.50    
4 1.00   1.50    
5 1.25   1.50    

Experiment #2 How will the wave change if the Frequency change?

Column A C D E F
# of Trial Amplitude (unit:cm) Frequency(Unit:Hz) The time one green particle finish 10 complete oscillation (Unit:sec) ___________ The average time one green particl finish 1 complete oscillation __________ C x F
1 0.50 1.00      
2 0.50 1.25      
3 0.50 1.50      
4 0.50 1.75      
5 0.50 2.00      
Explanation
Concepts
https://www.ducksters.com/science/physics/properties_of_waves.php
https://www.ducksters.com/science/physics/properties_of_waves.php
http://csc4waves.weebly.com/longitudinal-waves.html
Definition Symbol Unit Formula
Amplitude the distance between a line through the middle of a wave and a crest or trough. A m N/A
Frequency how many waves pass a point in a certain amount of time f Hz, s-1 f =1/T
Period the amount of time for the wave to repeat itself T s T= 1/f
Wavelength the distance from the crest on one wave to the crest on the very next wave λ m λ = v/f = vT
Speed the distance a wave travels in an amount of time v m/s v = λf = λ/T
References