Waves in Fluids

Waves in Fluids

1. Waves in water Water waves will travel at a constant speed in a ripple tank when generated at different frequencies if the depth of the water is constant at all points. This means that the equation wave speed = frequency x wavelength will give the same wave speed - if the frequency increases, then the wavelength will decrease in proportion.

2. A ripple tank can be used to determine values for the wavelength, frequency and wave speed of water waves. It is a suitable method, provided that small wavelengths and frequencies are used.

3. 1) Set up the apparatus 2) Calculate the frequency of the waves by counting the number of waves that pass a point each second 3) Use a stoboscope to freeze the waves and find their wavelength by using a ruler. The ruler can be left in the tank or the waves can be projected onto a piece of A3 paper under the tank and the wave positions marked with pencil marks on the paper. 4) Calculate the wave speed.