Lab 7: Introduction to Waves (Water)
Name Date
Assignment Submission Directions: Download this assignment sheet and complete by answering all
questions. You will need to access the simulations website in order to complete the labs. When completed,
save your work and upload the document to the Assignment Upload for graded submission. 50 points.
Items in red font require submission into a pre populated text box shown as Click here to enter text. (Note:
you do not need to fill this one in, for directions purposes only.)
Part A: Introduction to Water Waves
Make waves with a dripping faucet and adjust frequency and amplitude, and observe the effects.
Learning Goals: Students will be able to
● Make waves with water.
● Discuss wave properties using common vocabulary.
● Explain how changing the frequency and amplitude affects the characteristics of the wave.
● Design an experiment to measure the speed of the wave.
Load the simulation: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/waves-intro
Activity:
● Load the simulation ‘Waves Intro’
● Select ‘Water Simulation’
● Select ‘Side View’
● Click on the green button to turn on the
water drips.
● Water drops should begin to drip into a
body of water on your screen.
1. Describe the results of the dripping
water? Creates waves in the water.
2. Describe what you see as the liquid continues to drop?
The biggest wave where the water drops then more steady waves throughout.
Increase and decrease the amplitude setting.
● Increase the ‘Amplitude’ setting to a larger
amount.
3. What happens to the actual drops of liquid?
, Lab 7: Introduction to Waves (Water)
The drops are quickly absorbed into the existing water waves, and they are also bigger in size.
4. What happens to the waves created as you increase the
amplitude? The waves become larger as the amplitude increases.
5. In your own words and using the simulation as context, define what is meant by amplitude.
In this context, amplitude refers to the distance the wave moves away from its normal resting position
Increase the frequency setting.
● Increase the ‘Frequency’ setting to a larger
amount.
6. What happens to the actual drops of liquid?
The drops fall into the water at a faster pace and in greater quantity
7. What happens to the waves created as you increase the
frequency? The waves become more numerous, with less distance
between them
8. In your own words and using the simulation as context, define what is meant by frequency.
Frequency refers to the number of occurrences, in this case waves, within a specific period of time.
Using the Wave Meter
● Attach the wave meter. Drag either one (of
the two) probes into the wave matrix as
shown.
Name Date
Assignment Submission Directions: Download this assignment sheet and complete by answering all
questions. You will need to access the simulations website in order to complete the labs. When completed,
save your work and upload the document to the Assignment Upload for graded submission. 50 points.
Items in red font require submission into a pre populated text box shown as Click here to enter text. (Note:
you do not need to fill this one in, for directions purposes only.)
Part A: Introduction to Water Waves
Make waves with a dripping faucet and adjust frequency and amplitude, and observe the effects.
Learning Goals: Students will be able to
● Make waves with water.
● Discuss wave properties using common vocabulary.
● Explain how changing the frequency and amplitude affects the characteristics of the wave.
● Design an experiment to measure the speed of the wave.
Load the simulation: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/waves-intro
Activity:
● Load the simulation ‘Waves Intro’
● Select ‘Water Simulation’
● Select ‘Side View’
● Click on the green button to turn on the
water drips.
● Water drops should begin to drip into a
body of water on your screen.
1. Describe the results of the dripping
water? Creates waves in the water.
2. Describe what you see as the liquid continues to drop?
The biggest wave where the water drops then more steady waves throughout.
Increase and decrease the amplitude setting.
● Increase the ‘Amplitude’ setting to a larger
amount.
3. What happens to the actual drops of liquid?
, Lab 7: Introduction to Waves (Water)
The drops are quickly absorbed into the existing water waves, and they are also bigger in size.
4. What happens to the waves created as you increase the
amplitude? The waves become larger as the amplitude increases.
5. In your own words and using the simulation as context, define what is meant by amplitude.
In this context, amplitude refers to the distance the wave moves away from its normal resting position
Increase the frequency setting.
● Increase the ‘Frequency’ setting to a larger
amount.
6. What happens to the actual drops of liquid?
The drops fall into the water at a faster pace and in greater quantity
7. What happens to the waves created as you increase the
frequency? The waves become more numerous, with less distance
between them
8. In your own words and using the simulation as context, define what is meant by frequency.
Frequency refers to the number of occurrences, in this case waves, within a specific period of time.
Using the Wave Meter
● Attach the wave meter. Drag either one (of
the two) probes into the wave matrix as
shown.
