Fill the ripple tank with 5mm of water and place it on a piece of paper.
Attach a wooden rod to a low-voltage power supply and motor. Add a lamp above the tank.
Observe the wave pattern from the side through the water.
Measure wavelength by placing a rulerperpendicular to wavefronts, measuring across multiple waves, and dividing by the number of waves.
Measure frequency by counting waves passing a point over a set time (e.g., 10–20 seconds).
Calculate wave speed using wave speed = wavelength × frequency.
For Sound Waves using string?
Set up the apparatus as shown, then adjust the frequency of the signal generator until a "solid" wave is produced
Once the "solid" wave is produced, record the frequency shown on the signal generator
Use a ruler to measure the wavelength, the length to measure will depend on the number of "solid" waves produced, or measure the length of multiple wavelengths, and divide by the number of wavelengths seen
Repeat the procedure by adjusting the frequency until another "solid" wave is produced
Independent Variable (waves)?
frequency
Dependent Variable (waves)?
wavelength
Control variable (waves)?
depth of water
temperature of water
systematic error of waves?
can be difficult to identify wavefronts as they move
Random Error of waves?
To improve accuracy of wavelength measurement, measure across a longer time period
