Comparison of Wave Properties

The three most common types of waves that we encounter in our daily life are water, sound, and light waves. While water and sound waves can only travel through a medium, light waves don’t need one. In this activity, you’ll study the similarities and differences among water, sound, and light waves.

To begin your activity, open this simulation: Wave Interference.

There are three tabs, Water, Sound, and Light. Observe these waves and then draw conclusions from your observations.

Question 1

Water: Start with the Water tab. Note that light areas represent places where the water is high (crests). Dark areas represent low points (troughs).

The water drops should already be dripping from the faucet. You can increase their frequency by using the Frequency slider. You can expand or decrease the size of your “sink space” by clicking the green +/- sign in the upper right corner of the sink. Using the controls on the far right, you can add measuring tools, add a wall, add another faucet, or insert a single-slit or two-slit barrier.

Part A

What kind of wave patterns do you observe in the sink in the top view?

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Part B

Click on the Show Graph button at the bottom of the window. (If you have expanded your sink, you’ll probably need to decrease its size again to see this graph.) The graph shows the moving water level, which is the actual amplitude of the waves.

What general mathematical graph function does this look like? What pattern do you observe in the amplitude of these waves? Provide a hypothesis to explain this pattern in the amplitude.

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Part C

What happens when you increase the frequency of the water drops? What happens to the wavelength of the waves on the surface of water?

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Part D

If you increase the frequency, what happens to the velocity of the wave?

In answering this question, describe how you determined the velocity as well as the result you arrived at. Then, provide a scientific explanation for this result, based on your knowledge of waves.

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Part E

What happens when you add a second drip and space both the drips close together? Describe the pattern they form and explain the cause for this pattern in detail.

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Part F

Turn off the second drip and then add a barrier with one slit. What do you observe on the right side of the wall? What do you observe on the left side of the wall? From a physics perspective, explain your observations of what is happening on both sides of the barrier.

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Question 2

Sound: Now click the Sound tab.

Part A

On the Sound tab, investigate briefly all the phenomena you explored with water waves above and describe any similarities in your results for sound. Specifically, describe

wave pattern as seen on the screen
shape and amplitude of the graph
effect of frequency on wavelength
effect of frequency on velocity
pattern with two sources
wave pattern with a single-slit barrier

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Part B

Sound and water waves obviously have many similarities, but they are not exactly the same. Describe all the differences you can think of between sound waves and water waves.

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Question 3

Light: Now click the Light tab.

Part A

On the Light tab, once again investigate briefly all the phenomena you explored with water and sound above. Describe any similarities in your results for light. Specifically describe

wave pattern as seen on the screen
shape and amplitude of the graph
effect of frequency on wavelength
effect of frequency on velocity
pattern with two sources
wave pattern with a single-slit barrier

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Part B

Light waves have some similarities with water and sound waves, but they are not exactly the same. Describe all the differences you can think of between light waves, sound waves, or water waves.

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In this activity, you will research and discuss the motion of ocean waves. Do online research on both ocean waves and tsunamis, then answer the following questions. Here are two sources to start with:

Part A

Which factors affect the speed of ocean waves?

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Part B

How do the shape, path, and speed of ocean waves change when they move towards shallow water?

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Part C

What is a tsunami? How is it formed?

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Shock Waves

In this activity, you’ll explore shock waves in air and sonic booms. Conduct online research on shock waves, sonic booms, and breaking the sound barrier. Then answer the following questions. Here are two sources to start with:

Part A

What are shock waves? How are they produced?

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Part B

Explain the meaning of the word supersonic.

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Part C

What is a sonic boom?

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Part D

How do supersonic flights create sonic boom? Please explain in detail.

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Comparison of Wave Properties