Wednesday, April 11, 2012

#3 Mechanical wave:


Objective: 
The purpose of this experiment is to study the mechanical wave’s property, by measuring its wavelength and frequency; we can derive the speed of a wave.

Procedures:

1.      Create a steady wave. Measure the distance between two people who hold the spring.
2.      Determine the wavelength of the spring and record the period of the wave.
3.      Calculate the frequency. Set another steady wave with different distance.
4.      Repeat and record the data.

Results:
       We run three trails for each wavelength and count the time for ten periods.


Wavelength / cm
88
100
60
Average period / s
0.43
0.49
0.50
Average frequency / Hz
2.33
2.04
2.00
Product of wavelength and frequency
204.65
204.08
120.00

Discussion:
       Due to the fact that human generates this wave; the speed of the wave cannot be accurately controlled. The first two sets of data are good while the third has big difference with respect to the other two. Other factors may affect the results can be the insufficient precision in measuring both time and wavelength.

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