Required practical 8 - Waves: Part 2 - Observing waves in a solid

Question 1

Outline the basic steps of the practical

Answer 1

1) Attach a piece of string to a vibration generator at one end and to a mass hanger suspended over a pulley.
2) Place the wooden bridge under the string before it reaches the pulley.
3) Start the generator and alter the tension and bridge until it looks like the wave isn’t moving.
4) Measure the wavelength, and record the frequency.
5) Calculate the wave speed.

Question 2

How do you measure the wavelength?

Answer 2

1) Using a meter ruler, measure across as many loops as you can.
2) Each loop is a half wavelength.
- Divide the distance by the number of loops and multiply by 2 to get the wavelength.

Question 3

What value is used for the frequency?

Answer 3

The value should be taken from the frequency generator settings.