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Waves On A Spring Lab v3

This physics lab experiment investigates wave properties on a spring, including determining the relationship between wave velocity and tension for transverse and longitudinal waves, as well as the relationship between standing wave frequency and number of anti-nodes. Students measure wave speeds under different tensions and observe standing waves of different node patterns, recording data to analyze relationships between wave properties.

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Hyun Bon
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441 views2 pages

Waves On A Spring Lab v3

This physics lab experiment investigates wave properties on a spring, including determining the relationship between wave velocity and tension for transverse and longitudinal waves, as well as the relationship between standing wave frequency and number of anti-nodes. Students measure wave speeds under different tensions and observe standing waves of different node patterns, recording data to analyze relationships between wave properties.

Uploaded by

Hyun Bon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Physics: Waves on a Spring Lab v 3.

materials: meter stick, "rope" spring, stop watch

Part 1: Wave Velocity


Goal: Determine the relationship between tension and the velocity of
transverse and longitudinal waves.
Procedure:
1) Measure the length of your lab table from the classroom edge up to your
gas jets.
2) Attach one end of your spring to a gas jet (they are turned off) and lay out your
spring lengthwise across your lab table.
3) Grab your spring 1/4 way up from the room end, and stretch it out to the end of
your lab table. Notice, that it is now under some amount of tension.
4) Record the time required for a transverse wave pulse to travel some convenient
number of lengths of your table (the more the better).
5) Repeat 2 additional times.
6) Repeat another 3 trials using a longitudinal (compressional) wave. Record.
7) Use only half of your spring; this will double the tension.
8) Repeat steps 4-6 with the new tension.

Part 2: Standing Waves

Goal: Determine the relationship between standing wave frequency and number
of anti-nodes ("bulbs" of maximum oscillation).
Procedure:
1) Choose one of the tension values used in part 1. You will not
be changing this setting.
2) Oscillate the held end with small movements from side-to-side, until a single
anti-node pattern develops (looks like a simple jump-rope pattern).
3) Record the time it takes for several (more than 4) oscillations. Repeat twice.
4) Repeat steps 2 & 3 for two, three, and four anti-nodes.
Table 1: Wave Velocities
table length (m):
Fraction # tabletotal
Type of lengths length time 1 time 2 time 3 time velocity
of
wave
spring used (m) (s) (s) (s) ave. (s) (m/s)

Trans. 3/4

Long. 3/4

Trans. 1/2

Long. 1/2

Table 2: Standing Waves


anti- # of time 1 time 2 time 3 time freq. Period amount velocity
nodes cycles (s) (s) (s) ave. (s) (Hz) (s) of (m) (m/s)
1
2
3
4
hints: 1) # cycles is how many back and forth motions you timed; it must be more than 4.
2) frequency is number of cycles / time ave.
3) each loop (node-antinode-node sequence) is a half wavelength
4) wavelength is the length of the table divided by the amount of visible wavelength

From table 2, graph the wavelength (y) vs. the period (x), and find the slope.

Part 1 Questions:
1) For each tension value, was one type of wave faster?
2) The formula for the speed of a transverse wave on a stretched string is

,where and F is the tension.


Explain how this does or does not agree with your data.
Part 2 Questions:
3) What is the significance of your slope? Compare its value to that found in part 1.
4) What should the frequency of a standing wave with 6 anti-nodes be?

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