Using a ripple tank to measure the speed, wavelength and frequency of waves
- a ripple tank is a shallow glass tank which vibrates - producing water waves at a given frequency (you can change this)
- we can shine light to see all of the peaks and troughs of the waves
- frequency
- count the number of waves that pass a given point in 60 seconds
- use a stopwatch
- divide by 60
- wavelength
- place a ruler next to the tank and take a photo
- measure the length between ten consecutive peaks
- divide by 10
- wave speed
- use the equation v = fλ
- or
- speed = distance of the tank/ time taken for one wave to travel that distance