Lesson 5 of 8 · Waves

Experiment⭐ 30 XP

Wave Speed, Frequency and Wavelength

🧪Lab Brief #5

Wave Speed, Frequency and Wavelength.

🎯 Your mission

Predict it first. Then prove yourself right (or wrong).

⚡ The twist

Nature loves to surprise the careful watcher.

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Mind = Blown

🔬 The more you look, the more nature shows you.

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Make a hypothesis first

Before you start: write down what you think will happen, and why.

What You'll Learn

Every wave obeys v = fλ. In one medium the speed is fixed, so raising the frequency shortens the wavelength by exactly the same factor. That single equation covers sound, light, water ripples and seismic waves alike.

Key Words

Tap a word to see its definition.

Materials Needed

long spring
metre rule
stopwatch

Safety First

Hold both ends of the spring firmly — a released spring snaps back hard.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read the explanation above and note the two key terms before you start.

Step 2 — Do

Make waves in a long spring at a steady rate and measure the wavelength against a metre rule while a partner counts oscillations per second. Multiply and repeat at a higher rate.

Step 3 — Observe

Record what actually happened, including anything that did not match what you expected.

Step 4 — Record

Write a conclusion that answers the question this lesson opened with, and state your uncertainty.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 2

A wave has frequency 25 Hz and wavelength 8 m. Its speed is:

How sure are you going to be?😐 maybe

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Where you see this in real life

This shows up in your everyday life more than you'd think.

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Stretch Challenge

Try this in real life this week.

Try one experiment in real life this week — even a tiny one.

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For the dinner table

“What's the most surprising thing you learned today?”

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Next Smart Experiment

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