Report About Mechanical Waves free essay sample

Mechanical Waves Background Mechanical waves are waves which require a medium for propagation since energy is transferred via the motion of the medium. An example of a mechanical wave is sound. Transverse waves are waves which vibrate perpendicular to their direction of propagation. Surface water waves can be classified as a transverse wave. All electromagnetic waves are also examples of transverse waves. A longitudinal wave is a wave in which its particles vibrate parallel to their direction of propagation. Sound waves, earthquake waves and tsunami waves are examples of longitudinal waves. Some terms to be considered are: Wavelength: the distance between two successive identical points Frequency: number of waves that pass through a fixed point in a second Amplitude: maximum displacement that particles can move to and from their equilibrium position Crest: Highest points of a wave Trough: Lowest points of a wave Aim: To observe the transmission of waves in a slinky, rope and water surfaces Hypothesis: The more energy applied to a specific object, the longer the wave will last Results/Observations: Waves in a slinky: * The more force applied to the slink resulted in more particles being able to propagate through the wave * The closer the slinky are to each other, the faster the wave will travel Waves in a rope: * As more energy is applied onto the rope, the wave will last longer and not cease. We will write a custom essay sample on Report About Mechanical Waves or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page As a result, the amplitude measured is much larger when compared with a small energy. Water surface waves * The more force applied to the tap onto the wave, the wave travelled faster and had a longer duration Discussion: As seen throughout the three experiments, the more energy that is applied onto the object, the result is much larger amplitude. Hence, the wave will last longer. With the increase in energy applied, the other result will also be in a higher frequency. Conclusion: From these three similar experiments, we have found out that as more energy is applied to the wave (frequency increases), the wavelength will decrease and vice versa. This means that frequency and wavelength are indirectly proportional to each other. Thus, proving the hypothesis correct.