Required Practical: Ripple Tank

Question 1

Ripple tank

Answer 1

Shallow tray of water used to show ripples in water

Question 2

Aim of this practical

Answer 2

Measure wavelength
Frequency
And speed
Of water rippled

Question 3

Set up of this practical

Answer 3

Ripple tank with shallow tray of water
White paper underneath so we can see shadow of waves
Lamp shining above to cast these shadows
Vibrating bar to cause ripples connected to power pack
Mobile phone to play back/ pause recording of waves

Question 4

Measuring the wavelength

Answer 4

Place ruler on paper
Freeze image of ruler
Each line = wavelength
Measure distance of 10 wavelengths or 10 lines
Divide this by 10 = 1 wavelength

Question 5

Finding frequency

Answer 5

Place timer next to paper
Count number of waves passing a point in 1 second
Therefore count number in 10 seconds and divide by 10
We do this by using a phone and slowing down the recording

Question 6

Finding wave speed

Answer 6

Use the original values we have in wave equation
Frequency x wavelength

Question 7

Another way of calculating wave speed

Answer 7

Select wave
Measure how long it takes to travel to the end of the tank
Do speed = distance/time