Measuring waves on a string
I can find the speed of waves on a string by measuring ‘standing wave’ patterns.
Measuring waves on a string
I can find the speed of waves on a string by measuring ‘standing wave’ patterns.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- To find standing wave frequencies, increase the frequency of the oscillator until a standing wave pattern is seen.
- The wavelength of the waves can be found from the length of the oscillating string and the standing wave pattern
- The speed of waves on a string only depends on the properties of the wave medium (the string).
- For waves on a string, frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional
- Control variables are the quantities that must be kept the same during experiments so they don’t affect results.
Keywords
Standing wave - A standing wave is a stable pattern of oscillation that does not appear to travel across a wave medium.
Tension - Tension is the name for the force applied to a stretched string or rope. Without any tension a string or rope would be slack.
Inverse - Division is the mathematical inverse (opposite) of multiplication, so the inverse of ×2 is ÷2 (which can also be written as ×½).
Proportion - A proportion is an exact mathematical comparison, such as double, half (50%), triple, a third, quadruple, a quarter etc.
Control variable - Control variables are the quantities that must be kept the same during experiments so they don’t affect results.
Common misconception
Frequency or wavelength of waves on a string will affect the wave speed.
The speed of waves on a string only depends on the properties of the wave medium (the string) e.g. tension, density
To help you plan your year 10 combined science lesson on: Measuring waves on a string, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 combined science lesson on: Measuring waves on a string, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
what you change in each test to see what effect it has
what you monitor to see if it changes in response
what you keep the same so they don't affect the results
Exit quiz
6 Questions
