Ripple Tank Experiment

On the 18th of May, the grade 12 physics class did a practical using a ripple tank. Thanks to the combined efforts of Mr Hillebrand, Mr Tate, Dr Doyle and Mr Doyle in constructing the ripple tank, we could observe the behaviour and characteristics of waves, which are a large section of our AS syllabus.

A single motor produced oscillations of adjustable frequencies, and with a single vibrating source, we saw the effects of diffraction in an array of different colours. The smaller the gap, the greater the diffraction as the reduced distance grew closer to equating the wavelength.

While 1 source produced a circular pattern, a second vibrating lobe produced 2 coherent waves (waves with the same frequency and a constant phase difference), interfering constructively and destructively at regular intervals.

We used a stroboscope to emulate the effect of a freeze frame, allowing us to glimpse the individual wavefronts – the same as a photograph does. Blinking rapidly, we discovered, also has a similar effect.

Overall, it was a really interesting experiment and a great way to visualise the work we are covering. Thank you to Dr Doyle for organising this experiment and to everyone involved in making it possible!

– Hannah