

The spine was constructed so it can freely twist, allowing the cross-bars to produce wave patterns. The model was constructed to simulate Shive’s wave machine, consisting of horizontal cross-bars welded to a central wire spine perpendicular to the bars. The ruler tool makes it easy to measure wavelength.įor a great multimedia exploration, we suggest this Java simulation from Open Source Physics, coupled with historic 1959 video of John Shive demonstrating his iconic wave-generating machine. The tension of the string, damping, and frequency and amplitude of the oscillator can be adjusted.
#Refraction and diffraction similarities series
The string is modeled as a series of interacting masses. Students can generate pulses manually or click “Oscillator” and let the simulation create traveling or standing waves. This HTML5 activity simulates the motion of a vibrating string. Teachers: The entire collection is available in ready-to-run HTML5 format, with question sets for each activity. Topics include wave superposition, interference, Fourier analysis, boundary behavior, impedance, diffraction, Doppler Effect, and more. It starts with very simple wave properties and progresses to an examination of nonlinear wave behavior. The project was sponsored by the American Association of Physics Teachers, and authored by physics professors Wolfgang Christian and Kyle Forinash. Here you’ll find a set of 33 simulation-based interactive tutorials designed to teach the fundamentals of waves. Here’s the link: Student Exercise: Slinky Lab Note: We also created a Student Exercise specifically to accompany the Slinky Lab Interactive. You can choose open-end or fixed-end and adjust the period of the wave. Manually create a wave or select auto-generated continuous waves. Use the interactive tools to investigate how frequency, tension, and density affect the vibrational motion of particles and the speed of a transverse wave as it moves through a medium. Our mobile-friendly Slinky simulation offers a host of ways to explore vibrations and wave behavior. Physics Classroom: Slinky Lab Interactive.The Physics Classroom Tutorial, Waves Chapter, Lesson 3.Readings from The Physics Classroom Tutorial To describe the phenomenon of wave reflection, refraction, and diffraction to explain when each of these variables occur and to discuss the variables that affect the degree to which they occur.To describe the Doppler effect phenomenon and to explain its cause using words, diagrams, and formulas.To recognize the distinction between constructive and destructive interference and to use the principle of superposition to construct the resultant waveform from the two interfering waves.To predict the orientation of the reflected pulse at the boundary between two media and at a free-end and a fixed-end.To predict how alterations in the medium through which a wave is traveling will affect the properties of that wave such as wavelength and speed.Teacher Toolkits » Wave Behavior Toolkit » Wave Behavior - Complete Toolkit
