PHET Wave on a String

Directions:

A. Check the boxes to show the rulers and the timer. Use the radio buttons to select the “Oscillate” and “Slow Motion” options.

B. Use the “Frequency” controls to select a value of 2.00 Hz.

C. Use the onscreen timer to determine the amount of time for one complete cycle of the oscillator generating the waves at the left of the screen.

D. Pause the simulation. Use the horizontal ruler to measure the distance between two successive crests or troughs on the wave and the vertical ruler to measure the distance from the first crest to the first trough.

E. Click the “Restart” button at the top of the screen, use the “Frequency” controls to select a value of 3.00 Hz, and repeat steps C and D.

F. SEP Identify Patterns: In the space below, identify which of your three measurements increased, which decreased, and which stayed about the same when you increased the frequency. What happens to the wavelength when the frequency is increased?

• The wavelength increases.

• The wavelength decreases.

• The wavelength stays the same.

• Varies

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

USE THE PHET SIMULATION

Choose five well-spaced values for frequency between 1.00 Hz and 3.00 Hz and record them in the frequency column of your data table.

• 1.80 Hz is approaching 2.00 Hz.

• 2hz

• 1.00 Hz is the base frequency.

• 1.2hz

• 1.50 Hz is the midpoint between 1.00 Hz and 2.00 Hz.

• 1.5hz

• 1.20 Hz is slightly above the base frequency.

• 1hz

• 2.00 Hz is the upper limit of the range.

• 1.8hz

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Choose five well-spaced values for frequency between 1.00 Hz and 3.00 Hz and record them in the frequency column of your data table.

For each value of the frequency, pause the simulation, use the horizontal ruler to measure the distance between two successive crests or troughs, and enter this distance in the wavelength column of your data table. How would you perform this measurement?

• Measure the distance between two successive crests or troughs using a ruler.
• Use a protractor to measure the angle of the waves.
• Estimate the wavelength based on the frequency.
• Count the number of waves in the simulation.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

How do you calculate the speed of the wave?

• By multiplying frequency and wavelength

• By adding frequency and wavelength

• By dividing frequency by wavelength

• By subtracting wavelength from frequency

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Identify Patterns: What pattern do you observe for the numbers you calculated for the speed of the wave, and how do they relate to frequency and wavelength?

• The speed of the wave is directly proportional to the frequency and inversely proportional to the wavelength.

• The speed of the wave is inversely proportional to the frequency and directly proportional to the wavelength.

• The speed of the wave is directly proportional to both frequency and wavelength.

• The speed of the wave is constant regardless of frequency and wavelength.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1