Unit 4: The Electromagnetic Spectrum and the Atom: Activity Cycle 1: Waves and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Name

Investigating, Part 2 Frequency, Wavelength, and Wave Speed Simulation The excitement and fun of the “Wave on a String” simulation continues! In this activity we will make quantitative measurements of frequency, wavelength, and wave speed. Bring up the “Waves on a String” simulation once again and set the following features:  Select the “Oscillate” and “No end” radio buttons. The simulation should now show waves traveling down the string and out a window to some unknown place.  Turn off damping by moving the corresponding “Damping” slider all the way to the left until it reads zero.  Set the tension to “high” by moving the corresponding slider all the way to the right.  Set the amplitude slider to 50. Maintain these settings throughout the entire simulation. Do each of the activities below and answer the questions that follow. 1) Move the frequency slider to 20 (Note: this does NOT mean the frequency is 20 Hz). Use the timer and ruler to make the measurements requested below. Use the pause and step buttons if you need to stop the simulation for ease of observation. a) Measure the time it takes to produce ten waves. time for ten waves =

s

b) From the data you collected in (a), calculate the period and frequency of the waves. period =

s

frequency =

Hz

c) Pause the simulation and use the rulers to measure the wavelength of the waves. wavelength =

cm

d) Calculate the speed of the waves from the data you collected. Show your work.

2) Set the frequency slider to 50. a) Measure the time it takes to produce ten waves. time for ten waves =

s

b) From the data you collected in (a), calculate the period and frequency of the waves. period =

s

frequency =

Hz

Unit 4: The Electromagnetic Spectrum and the Atom: Activity Cycle 1: Waves and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Name

c) Pause the simulation and use the rulers to measure the wavelength of the waves. wavelength =

cm

d) Calculate the speed of the waves from the data you collected. Show your work.

3) Set the frequency slider to 80. a) Measure the time it takes to produce ten waves. time for ten waves =

s

b) From the data you collected in (a), calculate the period and frequency of the waves. period =

s

frequency =

Hz

c) Pause the simulation and use the rulers to measure the wavelength of the waves. wavelength =

cm

d) Calculate the speed of the waves from the data you collected. Show your work.

4) Based on the results of this simulation, circle properties of the string and waves that affect the wave speed. wavelength

tension in the string

Explain your answer using the results of the simulation.

frequency