Properties of Waves Virtual Lab

Name(s): Juan P. Duarte Date: 04/13/2020

Simulation A:
Open the link for Wave on a String.
In the top left box, choose “Oscillate.” In the top right box, choose “No End.” In the
box at the bottom, change Damping to “None.” (Slow motion might be helpful.)

1. Is this a transverse or longitudinal wave?

Transverse
a. How do you know?
Based on the simulation, the particles are moving perpendicularly to the wave of direction

2. In which direction is the wave traveling compared to the disturbance, perpendicular or parallel?

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As aforementioned, the wave travels perpendicular to the disturbance

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3. Spend a few minutes exploring the amplitude of the wave by increasing and/or decreasing it.

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Describe amplitude in your own words.

eH w
Amplitude can be described. As the height of the wave that cannot be exceeded in certain amount

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4. Explore how amplitude affects wavelength. Use the following settings and measure the approximate

rs e
wavelength. Pause the simulation after a few waves pass and use the ruler. (Grab the ruler and drag it
ou urc
to measure.)
Amplitude Frequency Wavelength
o

0.75 cm 1.60 Hz 3.5

aC s
vi y re

0.90 cm 1.60 Hz 3.5

1.05 cm 1.60 Hz 3.5

1.20 cm 1.60 Hz 3.5

ed d
ar stu

5. When amplitude increases, wavelength _________.

a. increases
b. decreases
is

c. stays the same.

Th

6. This means that the relationship between amplitude and wavelength is ________
a. direct
b. inverse
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c. not related

7. When amplitude increases, energy ______

a. increases
b. decreases
c. stays the same.

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 8. Return the amplitude to 0.75 cm. Then, spend a few minutes exploring the frequency of the wave by
increasing and/or decreasing it. Describe frequency in your own words.
Frequency can be described as the amount of waves in one cycle
9. Explore how frequency affects wavelength. Use the following settings and measure the approximate
wavelength. Pause the simulation after a few waves pass and use the ruler.
Amplitude Frequency Wavelength

0.75 cm 1.40 Hz 4.5

0.75 cm 1.80 Hz 3.5

0.75 cm 2.10 Hz 3.0

0.75 cm 2.40 Hz 2.5

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10. When frequency increases, wavelength _______.

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a. increases

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b. decreases

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c. stays the same.

o.
rs e
11. This means that the relationship between frequency and wavelength is:
ou urc
a. direct
b. inverse
c. not related
o
aC s

12. Return the frequency to 1.50 Hz and the amplitude to 0.75 cm. Now focus your eyes on one bead of the
vi y re

string. (Slow motion may help.) Describe the motion of the bead.
ed d
ar stu

13. Draw a transverse wave. Label the crest, trough, amplitude, and wavelength.
Amplitude
Crest
Trough
is
Th
sh

Wavelength

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 Simulation B:
Open the link for Waves Intro. Choose Sound. Do not change any of the settings.

14. Push the green button to start the waves. Is this a transverse or longitudinal wave?
longitudinal
a. How do you know?
because the particles are going in parallel with the direction of the wave
15. Change the setting on the right to “particles.” In which direction is the wave traveling
compared to the disturbance, perpendicular or parallel? (Switching to the box on the
bottom left that sends out one pulse might help if you are unsure. Just be sure to switch it
back.)
Parallel
16. Sound travels better in solids than in gases. Why? Use your experience with the simulation to help

m
you to explain.

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This is because de density of solids is higher than the density of gasses. Particles in gasses.

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Are far apart from each other as seen in the simulation so in a solid, since particles a re

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closer this facilitates the collision between particles, making the waves to travel faster in

o.
solids.

rs e
ou urc
17. Click the orange reset button. Check the box on the right to “play tone.” Play with
changing the amplitude.
a. How does the sound change when amplitude changes?
o

The volume of the sound changes with changes in amplitud

aC s

b. Changes in amplitude affect (choose 2):

vi y re

A. volume
B. pitch
C. energy
D. wavelength
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ar stu

18. Click the orange reset button. Check the box on the right to “play tone.” Play with changing
the frequency.
a. How does the sound change when frequency changes?
is

The pitch changes with the frequency

Th

b. Changes in frequency affect (choose 2):

A. volume
B. pitch
C. energy
sh

D. wavelength

19. Draw a sound wave. Label compression, rarefaction, and wavelength.

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 Compression
Refraction

Wavelength

Change the simulation to water (on the bottom of the screen). Change the view to “side view.” Click the green
button to start the water.

20. In which direction is the wave traveling compared to the disturbance (water
drops), perpendicular or parallel?
Perpendicular
21. Are water waves transverse or longitudinal?

m
a. How do you know?

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Transverse, due to the direction of the waves which is perpendicular

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eH w
22. Play with changes in frequency. Changing frequency affects

o.
a. wavelength
b. energy rs e
ou urc
c. amplitude
o

23. Play with changes in amplitude. Changing amplitude affects:

aC s

a. wavelength
vi y re

b. energy
c. frequency
ed d

Change the simulation to light (on the bottom of the screen). Click the green button to turn on the light.
ar stu

24. Play with changes in amplitude. Changing amplitude affects (choose 2):
a. wavelength
b. energy
is

c. brightness
Th

d. Color

25. Reset the simulation. Check the box for graph.

sh

a. What happens to the light when amplitude is at max?

Becomes brighter
b. What happens to the graph when amplitude is at max?
Peak increases
c. What happens to the light when amplitude is at zero?
There is no light
d. What happens to the graph when amplitude is at zero?
Then the graph is flat
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 26. Set the amplitude to max. Play with frequency. Changing frequency changes (choose 2):
a. wavelength
b. energy
c. brightness
d. Color

27. Adjust the frequency to high (right) and low (left).

a. What happens to the light when frequency is high?
It becomes purple/ Violet
b. What happens to the graph when frequency is high?
Shorter wavelengths
c. What happens to the light when frequency is low?
It becomes red
d. What happens to the graph when frequency is low?

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Longer wavelenghts

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28. Based on your observations, answer the following. You may want to pause the simulation and use the

eH w
measuring tape.

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a. When frequency increases, wavelength _______.
A. increases
rs e
ou urc
B. decreases
C. stays the same.
o

b. This means that the relationship between frequency and wavelength is:
aC s

A. direct
vi y re

B. inverse
C. not related
ed d
ar stu
is
Th
sh

5
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