ripple tank
In physics, shallow water-filled tray used to demonstrate various properties of waves, such as reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference.
As light waves are not visible, waves produced in a ripple tank can be used to demonstrate their properties. Water waves are produced using an electric motor to vibrate either a straight bar dipped into the water to produce straight waves or a circular ball to produce circular waves. A stroboscope is used to study the water waves by ‘freezing’ their motion.
If a small piece of polystyrene is placed in a ripple tank while straight water waves are produced, then, viewed from the side, as the ripples move up and down (forming a pattern of crests and troughs) the polystyrene remains in its original position as the water waves travel along. This shows that waves transfer energy from one place to another without transferring matter.
As light waves are not visible, waves produced in a ripple tank can be used to demonstrate their properties. Water waves are produced using an electric motor to vibrate either a straight bar dipped into the water to produce straight waves or a circular ball to produce circular waves. A stroboscope is used to study the water waves by ‘freezing’ their motion.
If a small piece of polystyrene is placed in a ripple tank while straight water waves are produced, then, viewed from the side, as the ripples move up and down (forming a pattern of crests and troughs) the polystyrene remains in its original position as the water waves travel along. This shows that waves transfer energy from one place to another without transferring matter.
© RM 2012. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.
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