Wave-on-a-String

Pre-lab Name: ____________________________

1. A wave is created on this string by moving the wrench up and down.

A. What would change if the wave had a higher frequency? ____________________________

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B. What would change if the wave had a higher amplitude? __________________________

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2. How will increasing the frequency of this wave affect the wavelength?

A. C.
Wavelength will decrease wavelength will get taller

B. D.
Wavelength will increase wavelength will get shorter
 Draw and label a transverse wave: Resting point, trough, crest, wavelength, amplitude.

Guiding Question:
How do the properties of amplitude and frequency affect wavelength?

Use this link or google search “PhET Wave-on-a-string”

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/wave-on-a-string/latest/wave-on-a-string_en.html
1. For the first set of investigations, we will look at amplitude.
 you need to be on
 The rest of your screen should be set up like this:

Complete this experiment and record data in the table:

Amplitude setting Height of wave at the start Distance ring moves on pole (end)
(be sure your ruler is lined up correctly) (move ruler to end with ring)

100

50

What happened to the energy at the end of the wave when we changed the amplitude?
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2. Repeat the experiment using and then

Why didn’t we use these options for the experiment with the amplitude button?
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3. For this next part we will investigate wavelength.

 You need to be on
 The rest of your screen should be set up like we did for number 1.

 Try out the button after you hit pause. This may be useful for collecting data.

Data:
wavelength = _______ cm

Wavelength = _____ cm

4. Think about the wavelength of the two waves you measured.

Write down how they were similar and how they were different?
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For the third set of investigations, we will look at frequency.
 you need to be on
 open both the ruler and timer
 controlled variables: Amplitude and damping should be left on 50 and tension stays on
“high”
 Remember, to stop or slow the wave use pause/play and .

1. Look over the data table and think about how you will collect the data you need.

2. Before you begin… try a little practice using the timer:

 Turn the timer on, off and reset the timer while waves are moving.

3. Practice counting waves passing a given point:

 Move the vertical ruler so that it is along the wave’s path. This will be the point where
you watch waves pass and count them. Count 5 waves passing the ruler. Change the
 frequency and count again.

4. Fill in the table by counting the waves and using the timer.
Data:

frequency Time Number of waves: Average number Number of

of waves counted waves in 1
interva in 10 second second
l period frequency**
Trial #1 Trial #2 Trial #3

50 10
seconds

10 10
seconds

100 10
seconds

*To find frequency, divide the average number of waves counted by the time interval.

5. Analyze the data.

Finish the Frame: My data shows that the higher the number chosen for the frequency on the
slider, the _________________ the number of waves passing ____________________ in a
certain amount of ________________________.

6. Draw on the wave to show what will happen when the amplitude is increased:

Line of
--origin--
4. Draw on the wave to show what will happen when the frequency is increased: ----
Line of
--origin--
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