Name ______Date ______

Ms. SabbatinoPeriod ______

Lab #15:

Wave Parameters

Goal: To use a standing a standing waveto measure and investigate the affect of the amplitude, frequency, period, and wavelengthon the speedof 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 todetermine the speed of a wave.

-Amplitude

-Frequency

-Period

-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!

Analysis:

Answer the following questions

  1. If we are trying to determine the speed of the wave, what units should our answer be in?
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  1. Based on the answer to question 1, what two variables above could you use to calculate the speed of this wave?

  1. Write an appropriate formula for the speed of a wave using the symbols in your reference table.
v = /
  1. 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 =
  1. Using one of the formulas above, calculate the speed of each wave and enter the values above. Show one sample calculation with units here.
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  1. Look at all the speeds calculated for the amplitude of 0.5m. What is the range of speeds? ______.
  2. Is that significant difference or can you consider all the speeds the same?

  1. Look at all the speeds calculated for the amplitude of 1.0m. What is the range of speeds? ______.
  2. Is that significant difference or can you consider all the speeds the same?
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  1. Are the speeds for the 0.5m amplitude and the 1.0m amplitude the same? ______
  2. 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.

  1. Does frequency affect the speed of the wave? ______
  2. Explain:
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  1. Does wavelength affect the speed of the wave? ______
  2. Explain:

  1. Does amplitude affect the speed of the wave? ______
  2. Explain:
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  1. 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