Measuring Waves Flashcards
(12 cards)
What device is used to measure the speed of sound in the experiment?
Oscilloscope
An oscilloscope displays the detected sound waves from microphones.
What is the first step in measuring the speed of sound using microphones?
Attach a signal generator to a speaker to generate sounds with a specific frequency.
The frequency is controlled by the signal generator.
What must be done to the microphones during the speed of sound experiment?
Start with both microphones next to the speaker and then slowly move one away until the waves are aligned.
This alignment indicates that the microphones are one wavelength apart.
How is the speed of sound calculated in the experiment?
Using the formula v = fλ.
v is speed, f is frequency, and λ is wavelength.
What is used to create water waves in the ripple tank experiment?
Signal generator attached to the dipper of the ripple tank.
This setup produces ripples in the water.
What happens when the frequency of the strobe light matches the frequency of the waves?
The wave pattern appears to ‘freeze’ and stop moving.
This is due to the strobe light illuminating the waves at the same point in their cycle.
How do you find the average wavelength in the water ripple experiment?
Measure the distance between lines that are 10 wavelengths apart.
Then divide by 10 to find the average wavelength.
What is the method to determine the frequency of water waves?
Count how many waves pass a mark in a given time and divide by the time in seconds.
This provides the frequency in Hertz (Hz).
What is the formula used to calculate the speed of waves in the water ripple experiment?
Use v = fλ.
v is speed, f is frequency, and λ is wavelength.
What is the process to measure the speed of waves in solids?
Hit a rod with a hammer and measure the peak frequency of the sound waves produced.
The sound waves in the air have the same frequency as the waves in the rod.
What does the peak frequency represent in the solid wave experiment?
It represents the loudest frequency produced when the rod is struck.
This frequency is key to calculating wave speed.
How do you calculate the speed of waves in a solid?
Using v = fλ, where λ is equal to twice the length of the rod.
The length measurement is important for accurate calculations.
