LAB REPORT: RIPPLE TANK SYSTEM

PHY106 – Mechanics Lab

BS PHYSICS

Section A

Group B3

246878 – Mehdi Ali

261858 – Muhammad Anas
252647 – Muhammad Basil Minhaj
245810 – Muhammad Haroon Umar
249845 – Muhammad Uzair

Submitted to:

Sir Malik Matti

School of Natural Sciences

National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad

22nd October, 2018

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Abstract

The ripple tank system is used to generate ripples in water in order to study their effects and

the reflection and refraction of the waves that are formed in the water. In this experiment, we

used the ripple tank to generate waves in the water and they were refracted and reflected using

blockages. The movement of the waves was investigated and then compared to the theory of

wave motion. The error in the measurements was also measured by comparing the observed

measurements to the theoretical calculations. The obtained information was used to come to

conclusion regarding laws of wave motion.

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Theory

The ripple tank system consists of a tank of water, a ripple generator, and a pulsating light

source. The bottom of the water tank is made of glass so that the wave pattern can be observed

on paper placed below. The waves are illuminated by the light source for clearer patterns. The

ripple generator is used to control the waves produced in the water and they can be adjusted

according to the experiment’s requirements. In our laboratory experiments, the ripple tank

system was used to investigate the physical laws of wave motion. Waves were propagated in

the water and their motion was examined and compared to the theoretical calculations for

comparison.

The phenomena of wave motion studied in this experiment include reflection and refraction.

Reflection of a wave is the change in the direction of the wave-front at a point between two

media such that the wave returns to the original medium in which it originated. The Law of

Reflection states that for a reflected wave, the angle of incidence must always be equal to the

angle of reflection with respect to the normal. Wave reflection is used in the study of seismic

waves and in sonar. It is also used in radio transmission and in radars.

Refraction of a wave is the change in the direction of a wave when it passes from one medium

to a different medium or when passing through a medium of varying density. The refractive

index of a wave is equal to the ratio of the velocities of the wave in the first and second medium

or the ratio of sine of the angles of incidence and reflection. Refraction is used for magnification

of objects under a microscope.

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Procedure

This experiment was performed in three separate parts. In the first part, the phenomenon of

wave reflection was investigated in three further parts. In part two, the refraction of the water

waves was studied. In the last part of the experiment, the convergence and divergence of the

water waves was observed using curved refractors. The measurements obtained were also

compared against the theoretical values for error analysis. The measurements for each of the

experiments carried out on A3 size sheets are attached at the end of this report. The sheets are

labelled respectively.

Part 1: Reflection of Water Waves

Part A: Reflection from a Straight Block placed at an Angle

Apparatus: Ripple Tank System, A3 Sheets, LED, Tape, Stationery, Straight Block.

The ripple tank system was placed on top of the bench and the ripple generator was

attached to the water tank. The generator was kept level with the water surface. The frequency

of the generator was set at 20Hz. The LED was switched on and an A3 sheet was taped on the

bench below the water tank. A straight shaped block was placed in the water at an angle to the

generator. The pattern of waves formed was observed and was noted on the A3 sheet. The

wavelength (λ) was measured by measuring the distance between consecutive crests. The

incident and reflected waves were drawn and the angles of incidence and reflection were

measured using a protractor. The measured angles were compared to find error, by using the

law of reflection:

𝜃𝑖 = 𝜃𝑟
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Part B: Reflection from an Inwardly Curved Barrier

Apparatus: Ripple Tank System, LED, A3 Sheet, Tape, Stationery, Curved Block.

The curved block was placed in front of the ripple generator and a new A3 sheet was

taped on the bench below. The frequency of the generator was 20Hz. The patterns observed

were sketched on the paper. The radius of curvature is given as follows:

𝑅 = 2𝑓

Where (f) is the focal length, the point where the reflected waves converge.

The focal length (f) is found by measuring the distance from the center of the curved block to

the marked point where the two reflected waves converged. The experimental value of the

radius of curvature was calculated by drawing tangents equidistant from the center and

extrapolating the normal of each to the point where the two met. This distance was measured

and compared against the double of the focal length for error analysis.

Part C: Reflection from an Outwardly Curved Barrier

Apparatus: Ripple Tank System, LED, A3 Sheet, Tape, Stationery, Curved Barrier.

The barrier used in part (b) was placed with its curve now facing the generator. A new

A3 sheet was taped to the bench below the water tank. The frequency of the generator was

20Hz. The patterns observed were sketched on the paper underneath. The focal length was used

as found in part (b). The tangent lines drawn for the radius of curvature were both normal to

the reflected waves that were diverging from the original generated wave. The tangents were

extrapolated to meet and the line was measured from the center of the curved block. This

measurement was then compared against the radius of curvature equation for error analysis.
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Part 2: Refraction of Water Waves

The water waves were refracted when they travelled from a denser to rarer medium. A

trapezoidal block was placed in the water to create a rarer medium.

Part A: Refraction by the Angled Side of the Trapezoidal Block

Apparatus: Ripple Tank System, LED, Trapezoidal Block, A3 Sheet, Tape, Stationery.

A trapezoidal shape was placed in the water and more water was added to the tank so

that it would be completely submerged. The frequency of the generator was set at 15Hz for this

refraction experiment. A new A3 sheet was taped on the bench below the tank. The waves

observed were sketched on the paper. The calculations were done on the sheet. The wavelength

in deeper (λ1) and shallower (λ2) water were found by measuring the distance between two

consecutive crests. These values were used to find the velocity of the wave.

𝑣 = 𝑓𝜆

The two velocities found were used to calculate the refractive index of the block:

𝑉1
𝜂1 =
𝑉2

The angles of incidence and reflection were also measured from the drawing of the waves.

These angles were then used to again find the refractive index of the block:

sin 𝜃1
𝜂2 =
sin 𝜃2

Then, the two obtained values of the refractive index were compared for error analysis.
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Part B: Refraction by the Rectangular Side of the Trapezoidal Block

Apparatus: Ripple Tank System, LED, Trapezoidal Block, A3 Sheet, Tape, Stationery.

A new A3 sheet was taped to the bench below the tank. The trapezoidal block was now

placed with its angled side away from the generator. The block was completely submerged in

water and the frequency of the generator was kept 15Hz. The observed patterns were drawn on

the sheet below. Similarly in part (a), the two wavelengths in denser and rarer media were

found by measuring the distance between two crests in deeper and shallower areas respectively.

These values of wavelengths were used to calculate the two velocities which were used to find

the refractive index. The angles were also measured and the values were used to find the

refractive index. The two values of the refractive index were then compared for error analysis.

Part 3: Refraction from Concave and Convex Shapes

Apparatus: Ripple Tank System, LED, Convex Block, A3 Sheet, Tape, Stationery.

Part A: Refraction from a Convex Shape

A convex block was placed parallel to the generator in the water tank. The straight side

of the block was made to face the generator with the convex side facing away. The water was

drained enough so that the block was not submerged. The A3 sheet was taped to the bench

below the water tank. The convergence of the waves was drawn on the sheet.

Part B: Refraction from a Concave Shape

A concave block was placed parallel to the generator with its straight side facing the

generator and its concave side away. The block was not submerged and the observed patterns

were drawn on the A3 sheet taped to the bench below the water tank. The divergence of the

waves was drawn on the sheet.

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Data Analysis

Part 1: Reflection of Water Waves

Part A: Reflection from a Straight Block placed at an Angle

 Wavelength (λ) = 2.1 cm

 Angle of Incidence (θi) = 50°

 Angle of Reflection (θr) = 49°

 Error in Angles = 2%

Part B: Reflection from an Inwardly Curved Barrier

 Focal length (f) = 8.1 cm

 Radius of Curvature (R) = 17.5 cm

 Error in Radius = 8.6%

Part C: Reflection from an Outwardly Curved Barrier

 Focal length (f) = 7.8 cm

 Radius of Curvature (R) = 15.3 cm

 Error in Radius = 1.92 cm

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Part 2: Refraction of Water Waves

Part A: Refraction by the Angled Side of the Trapezoidal Block

 Denser Wavelength (λ1) = 2.3 cm  Incident Angle (θi) = 58°

 Rarer Wavelength (λ2) = 2.6 cm  Refracted Angle (θr) = 53.1°

 Denser Velocity (V1) = 0.35 ms-1  Refractive Index (θ) (η2) = 0.94

 Rarer Velocity (V2) = 0.39 ms-1  Error in Refractive Index = 6.4%

 Refractive Index (V) (η1) = 0.88

Part B: Refraction by the Rectangular Side of the Trapezoidal Block

 Denser Wavelength (λ1) = 2.6 cm  Incident Angle (θi) = 78°

 Rarer Wavelength (λ2) = 2.8 cm  Refracted Angle (θr) = 76°

 Denser Velocity (V1) = 0.39 ms-1  Refractive Index (θ) (η2) = 0.99

 Rarer Velocity (V2) = 0.42 ms-1  Error in Refractive Index = 6.2%

 Refractive Index (V) (η1) = 0.93

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Conclusion

In this experiment using the ripple tank system, we can conclude that the laws of wave motion

hold true because of the less than 10% error in all the experiments. Reflection and Refraction

are two properties of Waves and they can be observed in most media. The behavior of the water

waves was observed and the measurements made were similar to the theoretical calculations,

hence little experimental error. This proves the laws governing wave motion such as that the

angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection for a wave hitting a medium at an angle.

Furthermore, this experiment proves that the refractive index of a block is equal to the ratio of

sine of incident and reflective angles and also of the velocities of the wave in the two interacting

media.