Answers to AQA GCSE Measuring the speed of ripples on the surface of the water(Physics)

Practice Question

1.What can a ripple tank be used for?

A ripple tank can be used in investigate the speed of ripples on the surface of water.

2. The following diagram is a diagram of a screen. Use the image below to calculate the wavelength of the wave shown on the screen.

Screen from a ripple tank being used as a question to calculate the wavelength of the wave

On the Screen above there are 7 waves from 0 to 28cm. Therefore:

Wavelength = 28cm/7 waves = 4cm, or 0.04m

3. The wave that was recorded in the screen above in question two, was investigated for frequency. The student counted 14 waves passing in 10 seconds. Calculate the frequency of this wave

Frequency = 14/10 = 1.4Hz

4. Using your answers to questions two and Three, calculate the wave speed of the wave shown on the screen in question 2.

Wave speed = wavelength x frequency

Wave speed = 0.04m x 1.4Hz = 0.056m, or 0.06m

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