Wave Speed uDu

Your task in this uDu is to determine how water depth affects the speed of water waves.

STEP 1: Based on your previous OBSERVATIONS of waves, make a HYPOTHESIS. As a group, discuss and decide whether deeper water makes waves faster or slower.

STEP 2: Design an EXPERIMENT with a method for measuring wave speed using the following equipment:

Wave Tank Timer Paddle

Ruler Bobber Meter Stick

Wave Speed uDu

STEP 3: Do your EXPERIMENT. Collect, analyze and plot your data. At a minimum, measure wave times at each of three depths. Do more if you have time.

STEP 4: Reach a CONCLUSION about whether your hypothesis was right. Be sure your conclusion is supported by your data.

THIS ISN’T A WATERPARK AND YOU AREN’T 5 YEARS OLD.

DO NOT SPLASH WATER OUT OF THE GUTTERS!

Wave Speed uDu: Follow-up

METHOD:

Measure time T required for single wave crest to travel distance D. Speed = D / T.

Details: Multiple trials? Metric units? Bobber was useless!

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