Required Practical 8:Ripple Tank

• What is the purpose of a ripple tank?

  To observe the features of water waves
• What equipment is used in a ripple tank?

  A shallow tray of water and 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 placing a ruler on the paper and freezing the image
• How do you calculate one wavelength from ten wavelengths?

  Divide the total distance by 10
• What is the total distance for 10 wavelengths in the example?

  26 centimeters
• What is the wavelength calculated in the example?

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

  Number of waves passing a point each second
• How can you accurately measure frequency?

  Count waves in 10 seconds and divide by 10
• What was the total number of waves counted in the example?

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

  $2.4 \text{ Hertz}$
• How do you determine the speed of water waves?

  Using the wave equation: 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 taken for a wave to travel the tank
• Why might results differ using different methods to measure wave speed?

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

  In the vision workbook linked above