1. Set up the ripple tank as seen in the diagram and switch on both the overhead lamp and the electric motor.

2. Adjust the speed of the motor so that low frequency water waves are produced.

3. Adjust the height of the lamp so that the pattern can be clearly seen on the card on the floor.

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4. Place a 30cm ruler at right angles to the waves shown in the pattern on the card. Measure across as many waves as possible then divide that length by the number of waves. This gives the wavelength of the waves.

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5. Count the number of waves passing a point in the pattern over 10 seconds. Then divide the number of waves counted by 10. This gives the frequency of the waves.

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6. Calculate the speed of the waves using the equation:

wave speed = frequency x wavelength

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1. Switch on the vibration generator. A clear wave pattern should be seen and the nodes should look like they are stationary.

2. Use a metre ruler to measure across as many half wavelengths as possible (a half wavelength is one loop) record the total length:

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3. Divide the total length by the number of half waves - This will give you the length of each half wave

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4. Double the length of the half wave to work out the wavelength.

​

5. Calculate the speed of the wave using the equation:

wave speed = frequency x wavelength.

​

1. Set up the ripple tank as seen in the diagram and switch on both the overhead lamp and the electric motor.

2. Adjust the speed of the motor so that low frequency water waves are produced.

3. Adjust the height of the lamp so that the pattern can be clearly seen on the card on the floor.

​

​

4. Place a 30cm ruler at right angles to the waves shown in the pattern on the card. Measure across as many waves as possible then divide that length by the number of waves. This gives the wavelength of the waves.

​

5. Count the number of waves passing a point in the pattern over 10 seconds. Then divide the number of waves counted by 10. This gives the frequency of the waves.

​

6. Calculate the speed of the waves using the equation:

wave speed = frequency x wavelength

​

1. Switch on the vibration generator. A clear wave pattern should be seen and the nodes should look like they are stationary.

2. Use a metre ruler to measure across as many half wavelengths as possible (a half wavelength is one loop) record the total length:

​

3. Divide the total length by the number of half waves - This will give you the length of each half wave

​

4. Double the length of the half wave to work out the wavelength.

​

5. Calculate the speed of the wave using the equation:

wave speed = frequency x wavelength.

​