Lab Activity - Wave Interference

Lab Activity

Wave Interference

By Nicholas Carrillo

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Click on the link to access the activity.

​Set the mode to 'pulse,' select 'loose end,' and set damping to 'None'

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Multiple Choice

Hit the Green Button to pulse the wave. Which best describes what happens to the wave pulse?

• The wave pulse travels and reflects back as a wave-crest. (doesn't flip)

• The wave pulse travels and reflects back as a wave-trough (flips)

• The wave pulse travels and cancels itself out.

Multiple Choice

What will happen when the two wave-pulses come together?

(If you're unsure, try recreating the situation using the simulation)

• Destructively Interfere

  (cancel each other out)

• Constructively Interfere

  (build each other up)

• Reflect off each other

• Nothing will happen

Multiple Choice

Now select the Fixed End setting. Which best describes what happens to the wave pulse?

• The wave pulse reflects back as a wave-crest.

• The wave pulse reflects back as a wave-trough.

• The wave pulse destructively-interferes with itself.

Multiple Choice

What will have when the wave-pulses come together?

(If you're unsure, try recreating the situation using the simulation)

• Destructively Interfere

  (cancel each other out)

• Constructively Interfere

  (build each other up)

• Reflect off each other

• Nothing will happen

Open Ended

When two waves come together, what determines if they will build each other up or cancel each other out?

(Describe what you observed when the waves interfered with each other in the previous questions)

Multiple Select

Now adjust the Tension slider. How does the tension affect the speed of the wave? (Select all that apply)

• When the tension increases, the wave speed also increases.

• When the tension decreases, the wave speed also decreases.

• When the tension increases, the wave speed decreases.

• When the tension decreases, the wave speed increases.

​Now set the mode to 'oscillate,' select 'open end.' and set the frequency to 2.10 Hz

Fill in the Blank

Select the ruler checkbox.

What is the wavelength of the wave in cm?

(Measure the wavelength from crest-to-crest, or trough-to-trough)

Fill in the Blank

What is the speed of the wave in cm/s?

(Use the equation for wavespeed $$v\ =\ \lambda\cdot f$$  )

Open Ended

Now adjust the amplitude slider, does the amplitude affect the wavelength, and or the frequency; if so, in what ways does changing the amplitude affect them?