Waves in a Ripple Tank: A Virtual Activity

Introduction in this activity you will observe wave using a virtual ripple tank. This simulates the behavior of water in a tank so you can rightly assume that anything you see these waves doing water waves will do. !n this lab you will study reflection diffraction and interference using water waves. "re lab: you need to know the definitions of reflection interference refraction and diffraction. !f not check the notes or go to our web#site to look it up. $or each section of the activity include ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER: %. a sketch showing the phenomenon labeled with the section number &. observations e'plain how each of the following characteristics of the waves change (or not)# amplitude wavelength fre*uency velocity direction +. Answer any *uestions.

To Start: ,o to the site http:--phet.colorado.edu-web#pages-simulations#base.html

Controls: .se the following items to control the simulation/ The water tab in the left corner should be active so that you see a faucet. 0ou can control the water dripping into the tank here. The fre*uency slider ad1usts the drop rate and the amplitude ad1usts he si2e of the drops. The water level - show graph button will allow you to visuali2e a cross#section view of what the water is doing/ The stopwatch and measuring tape will be used to determine wavelength and fre*uency # go ahead and click on those to activate. The detector gives you a device to see what the waves are doing at a specific point in the tank. Rotate view allows you to transition between a top and side view # leave it the top view most of the time. 0ou can also activate & drops at once and change the distance between the & drops # leave this at one drop for now. 0ou can also add a barrier with a variable opening (slit) across the tank # this will be used later.

I Waves from a single source

3ow activate one # drop pattern in the wave tank # fre*uency set 4 appro'. +56 and amplitude at appro'. 756 %. 8ketch the pattern of waves you see. What does the different shading represent in the ripple tank9 (hint: look 4 the graph view...) &. .se the measuring tape (pause the simulation) to determine the wavelength. +. :alculate the actual fre*uency by measuring (with the stopwatch) how long it takes for ten cycles to pass a given point # then use %; cycles < the time measured to find the fre*uency. 0ou can synchroni2e the stopwatch with the play-pause button at the bottom. =. 3ow calculate the wave speed. 5. 3ow# !ncrease the fre*uency using the slider. >etermine the wavelength fre*uency and wave speed of this new set#up. What changes occur in the wave characteristics as the fre*uency changes9 ?'plain.

II Reflection
%. Turn off the faucet. Activate the %#slit barrier # but make the width ;cm to create a solid barrier. !ncrease the amplitude to appro'. 756. &. 3ow allow one # drop to impact in the wave tank # and ! dro" onl#. Watch from the top view what happens to the wave when it impacts the barrier. What evidence do you see of reflection when the wave hits the wall9 3ow repeat the drop # Watch from the side view # describe what happens to the wave when it impacts the barrier. @n your sketch show the direction of the incident and reflected wave (3ote use the pause button to e'amine the tank if needed.)

III $iffraction
%. Turn off the faucet. Activate the %#slit barrier # but make the width 4 appro'. %.5cm to create a space in the barrier. !ncrease the amplitude to appro'. 756. &. 3ow allow one # drop to impact in the wave tank # and ! dro" onl#. Watch from the top view what happens to the wave when it impacts the barrier. What is the shape of the wave before it impacts the barrier9 As it travels through the slit9 After it passes the barrier9 What evidence do you see of diffraction when the wave passes the wall through the opening9 @n your sketch show the evidence of a diffracted wave. (3ote use the pause button to e'amine the tank if needed.) +. 3ow change the width of the opening (make it bigger and smaller) and repeat the e'periment # allow one # drop to impact in the wave tank # and ! dro" onl#. Watch from the top view what happens to the wave when it impacts the barrier and opening. What changes do you see of the waveAs diffraction when the wave passes the opening when you change the opening si2e9

I%

Interference

%. Remove the barrier across the tank. .se the pause button#then activate the two # drop pattern in the wave tank. 8et the drip spacing 4 +cm # fre*uency set 4 756 and amplitude at 5;6. 8ketch the pattern you see and note any changes in wave characteristics. &. 3ow set the drip spacing 4 5cm # fre*uency set 4 756 and amplitude at 5;6. 8ketch what you see here. 3ote how the wave characteristics change. Bow does this show the concept of interference9 ?'plain

+. Turn off the faucets. ,o back to % faucet # then activate the &#slit barrier # but make the width 4 appro'. %.5cm # barrier location 4 about half#way across the tank # and slit separation 4 appro'. =cm. !ncrease the amplitude to appro'. 5;6 and fre*uency 4 756. =. 3ow allow drops to impact in the wave tank. Watch from the top view what happens to the wave when it impacts the barrier. What evidence do you see of interference after the wave hits the wall9 @n your lab # sketch the pattern. 3ote area of constructive and destructive interference on the sketch. What characteristics of waves are responsible for the pattern9 !f you were floating across this in a boat what changes in waves would you e'perience as you traveled across pattern9 5. 3ow e'periment with what happens as you change the slit separation but 3@T the slit width. @n your lab # sketch the pattern. C. 3ow e'periment with what happens as you change the slit width but 3@T the slit separation. @n your lab # sketch the pattern. What changes do you see of the waveAs interference pattern when you change either the & opening separation or when you change the opening si2e9 Bow does this show the concept of interference9 ?'plain

3ow click on the sound tab in the upper left corner of the window. !nvestigate the above phenomenon as they apply to sound waves.