Name ______________________________
Ms. Sabbatino
Date ___________
Period _________
Lab #15:
Wave Parameters
Goal: To use a standing a standing wave to measure and investigate the affect of the
amplitude, frequency, period, and wavelength on the speed of a transverse wave.
Background:
Define all terms above in a paragraph.
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Prediction: Circle which of the following you think can be used to determine the speed
of a wave.
- Amplitude
- Period
- Frequency
- Wavelength
Materials:
- ruler
-
Stop watches
-
slinky
Lab Setup: Draw AND LABEL a standing wave with all the terms below
- crest
- trough
- nodes
- antinodes
- wavelength
- amplitude
Procedure:
1. Using a slinky, we will create a standing wave between two people standing 4
meters apart.
2. Once person will establish a frequency that will produce a standing wave
vibrating at its fundamental frequency with an amplitude of 0.5 meters
3. Once the wave is established, the timers will time how long it takes for 15
oscillations. Record the values in the table
4. This will be repeated for an amplitude of 1m.
5. The frequency will then be changed to produce a standing wave in the 2nd
harmonic and steps 3-4 will be repeated.
6. Create a wave in the 3rd harmonic and repeat steps 3-4
7. Create a wave in the 4th harmonic and repeat steps 3-4
Data: Fill out whatever you need to in the table below INCLUDING UNITS!
1st
harmonic
8m
34.3s
8m
35.3s
2nd
harmonic
4m
17.3s
4m
17.0s
3rd
harmonic
2.67
2.67
m
m
11.2s
2.67
m
10.9s
4th
harmonic
2m
8.5s
2m
8.2s
Analysis:
Answer the following questions
1.
If we are trying to determine the
speed of the wave, what units
should our answer be in?
2.
Based on the answer to question
1, what two variables above could
you use to calculate the speed of
this wave?
3. Write an appropriate formula for
the speed of a wave using the
symbols in your reference table.
v=
4. There is a second formula that can
be used to calculate the speed of a
wave that is equally valid. Write
that formula below
v=
5. Using one of the formulas above,
calculate the speed of each wave
and enter the values above. Show
one sample calculation with units
here.
6. Look at all the speeds calculated
for the amplitude of 0.5m. What
is the range of speeds?
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7. Is that significant difference or can
you consider all the speeds the
same?
8. Look at all the speeds calculated
for the amplitude of 1.0m. What
is the range of speeds?
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9. Is that significant difference or can
you consider all the speeds the
same?
10. Are the speeds for the 0.5m
amplitude and the 1.0m amplitude
the same? ________________
11. Calculate the percent difference
between the average speed of the
0.5m amplitude wave and the
1.0m amplitude wave to prove
your statement above.
12. Does frequency affect the speed of
the wave? _______________
13. Explain:
14. Does wavelength affect the speed
of the wave? _______________
15. Explain:
16. Does amplitude affect the speed of
the wave? _______________
17. Explain:
18. How do you think you could
change the speed of that wave?
Conclusion:
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Conclusion Self Assessment
______ I restated my goal?
______ I stated how frequency affects a wave’s speed
______ I stated how period affects a wave’s speed
______ I stated how wavelength affects a wave’s speed
______ I stated how amplitude affects a wave’s speed
______ I hypothesized what could affect a wave’s speed
______ I offered at least one source of error
______ I came up with a valid future experiment