Ripple Tank Lab Report

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# DIFFRACTION
Ques 1: Is the angle of diffraction (spreading) for the narrower slit (1.5 cm) more or less than the angle for wider slit
(3.0 cm)?

Solution: The angle of diffraction is more for a narrower slit than for a wider slit.

According to Huygens – Fresnel principle, each point on a wavefront behaves as a point source
producing secondary wavelets. So, each point on the slit behaves as a point source.

As the width of the slit decreases (becomes comparable to the wavelength of wave) the angle of
diffraction increases. This is consistent with the fact that light must interact with an object
comparable in size to its wavelength in order to exhibit significant wave effects such as this single
slit diffraction pattern

Ques 2: How does the increase in frequency affect the wavelength?

Solution: For a given wave,

As the velocity of the wave in a given medium is constant. Wavelength is inversely proportional to
frequency. Wavelength decreases as frequency increases.

Ques 3: How does the increase in frequency affect the angle of spreading (amount of diffraction) as the wave fronts
move through the slit?

Solution: The angle of diffraction decreases with increase in frequency.

As we are aware by the knowledge we have about wave mechanics that the angle of diffraction is
directly proportional to the wavelength of the wave and hence inversely proportional to the
frequency.

# INTERFERENCE
Ques 1: Calculate the speed of the waves?

Surface tension of water(𝛔) = 0.07275 ; ρ= Density of water;

Theoretical prediction (v) = √(2𝛔)/ρ = 0.380 m/s

Experimental observations:

Velocity of
S Wavelength Avg.
Frequency Surface
No Wavelength
l l l Wave

1 12hz 1.8 1.79 1.9 1.83 0.292

Experimental prediction for speed of sound wave = 0.292 m/s

# DOPPLER EFFECT

An apparent change in the frequency of a wave (light and sound) we perceive from the source due
to relative motion between the source of wave and observer is called doppler effect.

Let’s discuss this phenomenon in case of sound waves

 As the source approaches the observer standing still (or the observer approaching the
stationary source) the wave fronts from the source gets squished together and the time the
wave taken to reach the observer decreases and hence the observer records a higher
frequency.
 When either of them runs away from other the wave fronts stretch and the time taken
increases and the observer reports a lower frequency.
 In a case of both of them having a velocity a combination of the above 2 points results.

Theoretical Formula –
𝑣−𝑣
𝑓𝑎𝑝𝑝 = 𝑓𝑠 𝑣−𝑣𝑜
𝑠

where,
fapp is the apparent frequency,
fs is the actual frequency that the source generates,
v is the velocity of wave in the medium,
vo is the velocity of observer away from the source,
vs is the velocity of source towards the observer,
and all velocities are taken positive in a single direction.

Taking the wavelength of the upper region as , we get wavelength of

lower region as 1.5 . Using the above formula in both cases, we get
(v - |vs|)/ (v + |vs|) = 1/1.5, we know v = 22.57 cm/s, vs = 4.51
cm/s.
# STROBOSCOPIC EFFECT:

The stroboscopic effect is a visual phenomenon caused

by aliasing that occurs when continuous motion is represented by
a series of short or instantaneous samples. It occurs when the
view of a moving object is represented by a series of short
samples as distinct from a continuous view, and the moving object
is in rotational or other cyclic motion at a rate close to
the sampling rate.

Consider the stroboscope as used in mechanical analysis. This may be a "strobe light" that is fired at
an adjustable rate. For example, an object is rotating at 60 revolutions per second: if it is viewed
with a series of short flashes at 60 times per second, each flash illuminates the object at the same
position in its rotational cycle, so it appears that the object is stationary. Furthermore, at
a frequency of 60 flashes per second, persistence of vision smooths out the sequence of flashes so
that the perceived image is continuous.

If the same rotating object is viewed at 61 flashes per second, each flash will illuminate it at a
slightly earlier part of its rotational cycle. Sixty-one flashes will occur before the object is seen in
the same position again, and the series of images will be perceived as if it is rotating backwards
once per second.

The same effect occurs if the object is viewed at 59 flashes per second, except that each flash
illuminates it a little later in its rotational cycle and so, the object will seem to be rotating
forwards.