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    TAP 324-12: More Complicated Standing Waves

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    redpidgin
    This document discusses different demonstrations of standing waves using various materials and equipment. It describes experiments showing standing waves on a loop of copper wire, using sand on a metal plate, and in a rubber sheet stretched over a ring. Details are provided on the necessary materials and steps to perform the demonstrations.

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    TAP 324-12: More Complicated Standing Waves

    Uploaded by

    redpidgin
    19 views3 pages
    This document discusses different demonstrations of standing waves using various materials and equipment. It describes experiments showing standing waves on a loop of copper wire, using sand on a metal plate, and in a rubber sheet stretched over a ring. Details are provided on the necessary materials and steps to perform the demonstrations.

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    Wave mechanics

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    This document discusses different demonstrations of standing waves using various materials and equipment. It describes experiments showing standing waves on a loop of copper wire, using sand on a metal plate, and in a rubber sheet stretched over a ring. Details are provided on the necessary materials and steps to perform the demonstrations.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    19 views3 pages

    TAP 324-12: More Complicated Standing Waves

    Uploaded by

    redpidgin
    This document discusses different demonstrations of standing waves using various materials and equipment. It describes experiments showing standing waves on a loop of copper wire, using sand on a metal plate, and in a rubber sheet stretched over a ring. Details are provided on the necessary materials and steps to perform the demonstrations.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    TAP 324- 12: More complicated standing waves

    Standing waves everywhere


    Standing waves are very common. The skin of a drum has standing waves on it. The panels
    of a car vibrate with standing waves. The swaying of a building may be a standing wave. All
    music depends on standing waves. Here are a few examples.

    Standing waves in a loop:


    You will need
    signal generator
    vibration generator
    stroboscope
    loop of copper wire
    two 4 mm leads

    What to do
    This demonstration shows standing waves on a loop of wire.

    1. Make a wire ring of about 10 cm diameter and fix it to the vibration generator.
    2. To produce standing waves the wire must be vibrated at certain specific frequencies.
    The stroboscope may help you see the standing waves.

    Things to notice
    1. Standing waves on a loop.
    2. That if one node is produced for frequency f, two nodes will be produced for
    frequency 2 f and so on.
    Chladni figures:
    You will need
    signal generator
    vibrator
    metal plate, to be fixed to the vibration generator
    sand
    leads

    What to do
    1. Attach the metal plate to the vibration generator.
    2. Shake sand over the plate until you have an even, thin layer.
    3. Vibrate the plate and observe standing waves at certain frequencies sand collects
    at the nodes.
    How are the frequencies related to one another?

    You may have observed


    1. Two-dimensional standing waves.
    2. The nodes can form complex patterns. Here the nodes are lines.

    Vibrations in a rubber sheet:


    You will need
    signal generator
    stroboscope
    large loudspeaker
    large metal ring supporting a disc of thin rubber or latex
    three retort stands, bosses and clamps
    three small G clamps
    two 4 mm leads

    What to do
    1. Take the ring with the rubber stretched over it and place it over the loudspeaker.
    2. Drive the loudspeaker through a range of frequencies.

    You have seen


    1. Two-dimensional standing waves in a rubber sheet.

    Practical advice
    This should be performed as a quick demonstration if there is insufficient apparatus for all the
    class to use. However, students should be given the opportunity to vary the frequency as the
    results are dramatic.
    Safety
    Strobe lighting can cause fits in some epilepsy sufferers, especially at
    frequencies below about 15 Hz.

    Technician's note
    The copper wire ring, used in the first experiment, can be substituted by thinner steel wire. A
    solder joint produces a neat preformed loop, but may prove fragile.
    The metal plate, used in the second experiment, can be circular or square. Use a size that
    produces clear patterns. This will need adjusting to match the power output of your vibration
    generator.
    The rubber disc is best made out of pale latex so that a grid can be drawn on the surface,
    making the wave patterns more visible. The ring can be an embroidery ring, in which case the
    rubber can be stretched over the rim. You will need to experiment with the separation
    between the ring and the loudspeaker for optimal results.

    Social and human context


    Chladni's demonstrations have always created interest. Napoleon called on the German
    experimenter to show the principles of standing waves on plates to a very select audience.
    Chladni is also remembered for inventing the euphonium.

    External reference
    This activity is taken from Advancing Physics chapter 6, 150D

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