Ripple tank

• What is the purpose of a ripple tank?

  To observe features of water waves
• What is the setup of a ripple tank?

  A shallow tray of water with a vibrating bar
• How are waves created in a ripple tank?

  By a vibrating bar connected to a power pack
• What happens when light shines through the water in a ripple tank?

  It produces an image of the waves on paper
• How can you measure the wavelength of water waves?

  By freezing the image and measuring with a ruler
• What is the total distance measured for 10 wavelengths in the example?

  26 centimeters
• How do you find one wavelength from the total distance of 10 wavelengths?

  Divide the total distance by 10
• What is the calculated wavelength in the example?

  $0.026 \text{ meters}$
• How is frequency defined in the context of waves?

  Number of waves passing a point each second
• What is the more accurate method to find frequency?

  Count waves in 10 seconds, then divide by 10
• How many waves were counted in the example over 10 seconds?

  24 waves
• What is the frequency calculated from the example?

  $2.4 \text{ Hertz}$
• How is wave speed determined using wavelength and frequency?

  Wave speed = frequency × wavelength
• What is the wave speed calculated in the example?

  $0.0624 \text{ meters per second}$
• What is another method to determine wave speed?

  Measure time for a wave to travel the tank length
• Why might results differ between methods of measuring wave speed?

  Due to measurement errors in time
• Where can you find more questions on this practical?

  In the vision workbook linked above