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Waves
Learning Objectives
 | Differentiate between longitudinal and transverse waves. |
| Measure wave velocity and frequency. |
| Determine the relationship between wavelength, frequency, period, and
amplitude. |
Equipment
Long coil spring, slinky, stopwatch, and meter stick.
Procedure
This lab works best with a group of three students. One to read
and record and two on the spring.
Longitudinal Waves
1. One Wave
| Mark a distance of four meters on the floor with tape. |
| Two students should stretch and hold the coil spring out to the four meter
length. Caution: hold the spring firmly in one hand and use a
paper towel to prevent pinching of your hand. |
| One student should make a single longitudinal pulse travel the length of
the coil spring, and the third person should measure and record the time it
takes one pulse to travel four meters on the Wave
Data Collection Tool. Repeat four times. |
2. Multiple Waves
| Try to keep the average speed measure above, and make multiple
longitudinal pulses travel the length of the coil spring. |
| Start a timing period when the first wave hits the end of the spring and
stop the timing period when the tenth wave makes it to the end of the
spring. |
| Stop and calculate the longitudinal wave velocity, period, frequency, and
wavelength. |
3. Standing Waves
| What happens when both students make multiple longitudinal pulses? |
Transverse Waves
1. One Wave
| One student should make a single transverse pulse travel the length of the
coil spring, and the third person should measure and record the time it
takes one pulse to travel four meters on the Wave
Data Collection Tool. Repeat four times. |
2. Multiple Waves
| Try to keep the average speed measure above, and make multiple transverse
pulses travel the length of the coil spring. |
| Start a timing period when the first wave hits the end of the spring and
stop the timing period when the tenth wave makes it to the end of the
spring. |
| Stop and calculate the transverse wave velocity, period, frequency, and
wavelength. |
3. Standing Waves
| What happens when both students make multiple transverse pulses? |
Equations
| Wave Velocity = distance/time
 | v = d/t |
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| Wave Period = time for 1 wavelength
| P = time/1 wavelength |
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| Wave Frequency = wavelengths per 1 second
| f = wavelengths/1 second = 1/P |
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| Wavelength = velocity/frequency
| λ
= v/f |
| f
= v/λ |
| v
= λ * f |
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3. Chapter 19: Exercises #17 and Problems - 3,4,6 and the Lab
Report is due at the next class.
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