Topic 6 - Waves practicals

Question 1

Water ripples?

Answer 1

• use signal generator attached to dipper of ripple tank to create water waves at set frequency
• use lamp to see wave crests on screen below tank
• measure distance between shadow lines that are 10 wavelengths apart - divide by 10 to find average wavelength
• use speed = frequency x wavelength to find the wve speed

Question 2

Waves on string?

Answer 2

• set up equipment as show on right - then turn on signal generator and vibration transducer - string will start to vibrate
• adjust frequency of signal generator until theres a clear wave on the string
• measure wavelength using ruler
• frequency of wave is whatever signal generator is set to - find speed using speed = frequency x wavelength

Question 3

Refraction method?

Answer 3

• place transparent rectangular block on piece of paper and trace around it - use laser to shine ray of light at middle of one side of block
• trace incident ray and mark where light ray emerges from other side of block - remove block and join up incident ray and emerging point to show path of reflected ray through the block
• draw normal at point of incidence - use protractor to measure angles of incidence and refraction
• repeat experment using rectangular blocks made out of different materials