Waves Lab
PHY 101
Lab Report
Waves Lab
Purpose
The purpose of this laboratory experiment is to “investigate how the vibrating source affects selected characteristics of the sound produced” (Giancoli, 2006).
Materials
The following materials were used in the completion of this laboratory experiment: * Meter stick * Two paper towel rolls / cardboard tubes * Scissors * Two rubber bands * Wax paper * Transparent tape * Flashlight * Balloon
Procedure
Part 1: 1. Hold one end of a meter stick down on a tabletop so that 20 cm of the stick extends past the edge of the table. 2. Pluck the end of the stick that is extending past the edge of the table to produce a vibration and sound. 3. Observe this vibration and sound created and record observations. 4. Repeat the step above with 40 cm extending off the edge of the table. 5. Repeat the step above with 60 cm extending off the edge of the table. Part 2: 1. Cut a hole (approximately 1 cm in diameter) in the middle of one of the cardboard tubes. 2. Use a rubber band to secure a piece of wax paper over one end of the cardboard tube. 3. Make another kazoo following the same instructions as above, but cut the cardboard tube 10 cm shorter than the first tube. 4. Hum into each of your kazoos created above. Try to make the humming noise as consistent as possible in each tube. Observe and record how the length of the kazoo affects the pitch of the sound produced. Part 3: 1. Cut the neck off the balloon. Replace the wax paper on the longer kazoo with the cut balloon, wrapping the rubber band around the end of the cardboard tube. The rubber band should hold the tightly stretched balloon over the end of the tube. Use tape to attach the small mirror to the balloon at the end of the tube. 2. Have another person shine a flashlight on the mirror while you hum into the kazoo. The flashlight should be positioned on so a spot of
Lab Report
Waves Lab
Purpose
The purpose of this laboratory experiment is to “investigate how the vibrating source affects selected characteristics of the sound produced” (Giancoli, 2006).
Materials
The following materials were used in the completion of this laboratory experiment: * Meter stick * Two paper towel rolls / cardboard tubes * Scissors * Two rubber bands * Wax paper * Transparent tape * Flashlight * Balloon
Procedure
Part 1: 1. Hold one end of a meter stick down on a tabletop so that 20 cm of the stick extends past the edge of the table. 2. Pluck the end of the stick that is extending past the edge of the table to produce a vibration and sound. 3. Observe this vibration and sound created and record observations. 4. Repeat the step above with 40 cm extending off the edge of the table. 5. Repeat the step above with 60 cm extending off the edge of the table. Part 2: 1. Cut a hole (approximately 1 cm in diameter) in the middle of one of the cardboard tubes. 2. Use a rubber band to secure a piece of wax paper over one end of the cardboard tube. 3. Make another kazoo following the same instructions as above, but cut the cardboard tube 10 cm shorter than the first tube. 4. Hum into each of your kazoos created above. Try to make the humming noise as consistent as possible in each tube. Observe and record how the length of the kazoo affects the pitch of the sound produced. Part 3: 1. Cut the neck off the balloon. Replace the wax paper on the longer kazoo with the cut balloon, wrapping the rubber band around the end of the cardboard tube. The rubber band should hold the tightly stretched balloon over the end of the tube. Use tape to attach the small mirror to the balloon at the end of the tube. 2. Have another person shine a flashlight on the mirror while you hum into the kazoo. The flashlight should be positioned on so a spot of
References: Giancoli, D.C. (2006). Physics (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall.