Wave Stations Lab Write-Up

Name: ______Date: ______

Define the following:

Mechanical Waves:

Examples of mechanical waves:

Electromagnetic Waves:

Examples of electromagnetic waves:

Now that you know about the two different types of waves, visit the following 10 stations. At each station make two observations, identify the type of wave you are observing, and answer the questions.

Station #1: Boom! (Rubber band) – Pull back the rubber band and snap it against the paper on the book. Use varying amounts of force when snapping the rubber band. Also experiment with snapping the rubber band on the paper vs. the book.

List two observations:

a.

b.

Type of wave: ______

  1. What is the source of energy causing the waves?
  1. What medium is the wave traveling through?
  1. How does the sound vary when snapping the rubber band against the book vs. against the paper on the book?
  1. Why is the sound louder when snapping against the paper?

Station #2: Tuning forks in water – Hit the longer tuning fork against the counter then put it in the container of water. Do the same with the shorter tuning fork.

List two observations:

a.

b.

Type of wave: ______

  1. What is the source of energy causing the waves?
  1. What medium(s) is the wave traveling through?
  1. How do the results differ between the two tuning forks when you put them in water? Why?

Station #3: Tuning forks pitch and frequency – Hit the longer tuning fork against the counter then hold it up in the air. Do the same with the shorter tuning fork.

List two observations:

a.

b.

Type of wave: ______

  1. What is the source of energy causing the waves?
  1. What is the medium the wave is traveling through to create sound?
  1. Compare the pitch of the sound waves created by the long tuning fork and by the shorter tuning fork.
  1. After comparing the pitch, now compare the frequency of the waves created by the long tuning fork to the short tuning fork.

Station #4: Ruler Twang – Extend the ruler about halfway off the ledge of the counter. Push down on the end hanging off the edge. Experiment with the length of the ruler that hangs off the edge of the counter.

List two observations:

a.

b.

Type of wave: ______

  1. What is the source of energy causing the waves?
  1. What medium is the wave traveling through to create sound?
  1. Why does the pitch change as the ruler is moved farther on to the counter (think wavelength)?

Station #5: Flashlight and prism – Place the prism on the counter. Shine the flashlight through the prism at an angle. You should see a rainbow.

List two observations:

a.

b.

Type of wave: ______

  1. What is the source of energy causing the waves?
  1. Why do you think you see a rainbow?
  1. What characteristic of light waves is being observed.

Station #6: Water Drop – Place a drop of water from the water dropper in the pie pan full of water. Watch carefully what happens to the water in the pan.

List two observations:

a.

b.

Type of wave: ______

  1. What is the source of energy causing the waves?
  1. What is the medium that the waves are traveling through?
  1. In what direction are the waves traveling?
  1. What happens when the waves hit the edge of the pan?

Station #7: Guitar String– Pluck the guitar string. Then pluck the guitar string while placing a finger towards the opposite end of the string. Slowly make the space between your plucking hand and hand holding the string shorter.

List two observations:

a.

b.

Type of wave: ______

  1. What is the source of energy causing the waves?
  1. What medium(s) does the wave travel through?
  1. How does the sound change each time you changed the distance you pulled the string?
  1. Compare the length of the string to the loudness (amplitude) of the waves.

Station #8: Slinky – Carefully place the slinky on the floor. DO NOT GET IT TANGLED! Have one person hold each end of the slinky. Have one person push the slinky towards the other, without letting go. Then it is the other person’s turn. Next, both partners push towards each other and see what happens.

List two observations:

a.

b.

Type of wave: ______

  1. What is the source of energy causing the waves?
  1. What is the medium the wave is traveling through?
  1. Are the vibrations generated longitudinal or transverse?
  1. When pushing on the slinky you are ______the waves. When the slinky stretches out, this is known as ______.

Station #9: Straws – Take a straw and cut off the bendy end. Blow through the straw and observe what you hear. Then, cut about an inch off of the straw, observe what you hear. Cut another inch off and observ.

List two observations:

a.

b.

Type of wave: ______

  1. What is the source of energy causing the waves?
  1. What medium are the waves traveling through?
  1. What changes did you hear when shortening the straw?
  1. How does the wavelength, and frequency change when cutting the straw?

Station #10: Spoon Bell – Tie a spoon to the middle of a three-foot string. Wrap the ends of the string around your index fingers a couple of times. Put your hands tightly over your ears and lean over the spoon, so that it is dangling in the air. Hit the spoon up against the counter.

List two observations:

a.

b.

Type of wave: ______

  1. What is the source of energy causing the waves?
  1. What mediums are the waves traveling through?
  1. Does the sound change if you shorten the string (wrap it around your fingers more times)? If so, how?
  1. Why is the sound different when you have the string up to your ears?