Wave+Speed+Lab

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 * Wave Speed Lab**


 * Objective**: Measure the speed of a wave on a string.


 * Procedure**:
 * Click the simulation link is below.
 * [|Wave Speed Simulation]
 * [|Wave_Speed_Simulation_Video_002.swf]
 * Click ruler and timer boxes in the upper right corner of the green box.
 * Set the damping setting between 0-10 and keep it constant.
 * Use the pulse setting in the bottom left of the page.
 * Pick a constant amplitude(suggested:100) and pulse (suggested: any).
 * Pick a tension setting and start the pulse and time three waves.
 * Repeat for same tension once more
 * Calculate the wave speed from the data collected using the formula V=x/t.
 * Repeat previous step for two other tension settings.
 * Suggested tensions: high, medium, low
 * Play around with other settings on the simulation, especially the amplitude settings.


 * Analysis Questions:**
 * 1) How does the change in tension affect the wave speed?
 * 2) How do you think changing the amplitude of the wave affects the calculated speed?
 * 3) Are there any possible sources of error in the lab?


 * Graph**: No graph is needed. You could graph x/t but because the distance does not change in the simulation, the graph would be a vertical line. (When doing the actual lab, the tension is usually changed by changing the distance.)


 * Percent Error:** There is no percent error because there is no set value for wave speed and there was only one method of calculating wave speed.


 * Sample Lab:** [[file:Wave Speed Lab.doc]]