3B10.60 - Standing Waves - Water Waves

Code Number:
3B10.60
Demo Title:
Standing Waves - Water Waves
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Standing Waves
Area of Study:
Waves, Solar, and Galactic Astronomy
Equipment:
Narrow Water trough and Commercial Wave Machines.
Procedure:

Use the paddle and pulse the water towards the end of the trough to set up standing waves.  Changing the frequency of the pulse will change the wavelength of the standing wave.

The commercial wave machines will show some interesting effects of wave phenomenon at a boundary or interface.

References:
  • Nada Razpet, Tomaz Kranjc, "Pictures of Signs in Sea Waves", TPT, Vol. 60, #1, Jan. 2022, p. 15.
  • Scott J. Sinick and John J. Lynch, "Surface Gravity Waves: Resonance in a Fish Tank", TPT, Vol. 48, #5, May 2010, p. 330.
  • Callum J. Shakespeare, "Spontaneous Generation of Internal Waves", Physics Today, Vol. 72, #6, June 2019, p. 34.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "J.3. One-Dimensional Water Wave in a Narrow Trough", Turning the World Inside Out, p. 128 - 129.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.