Physics
Lab 3.3 Interference
Overview
The purpose of this
laboratory class is to demonstrate the use of a wave
table and to observe the effects of interference between
surface waves. In this physics lab we also attempt to
simulate the effects that lead to massive waves such as
those that occur at Jaws and Mavericks. We observe the
diffraction of surface waves by changing the depth of the
water and the constructive interference that occurs when
two portions of a wave front move towards each other.
Experiments
- Build a wave table
- Create wave fronts
that move towards each other
- Place a glass wedge
on the bottom of the tank and observe the effect
of diffraction and interference of wave fronts.
Experiment
3.3.1: Wave Table
Equipment
Shallow tank with glass
bottom
Large piece of white paper
or board
Light
Pieces of wood
Piece of glass cut at an
angle
Procedure
- Place water in the
wave table so that the depth is about 1 cm. (Ensure
that the table is level.)
- Use a piece of wood
to send straight wave fronts across the table and
observe the shadows on the white paper below the
table.
- Use two pieces of
wood to send waves at different angles across the
table.
- Observe the effects
of constructive and destructive interference at
the points where the waves meet.
- Place a piece of
glass on the bottom of the tank and observe the
effect that the glass has on the direction of a
wave traveling at an angle to the glass.
- Observe the effect of
interference when waves are directed at a corner
of the glass.
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