Vibrations and Waves Labs
The following PDF files represent a collection of Lab write ups pertaining to the topic of Vibrations and Waves. The Labs are synchronized to readings from the Tutorial, missions of the Minds On activities, and more. Teachers may print these Labs and their related Ruberics and use them freely with their classes. Learn more about creating a Lab Notebook for these activities as well as Reporting and Guidelines.
Available Labs
Select a Lab below to learn more about it, or download the teacher guide and other supporting documents.
A Wiggle in Time Lab
How would you describe (verbally, graphically and mathematically) the motion of a mass on the end of a spring?
Period of a Pendulum Lab
What variable(s) effect the period of a pendulum and what mathematical equation(s) describe the dependency?
A Wiggle in Time and Space Lab
How is simple harmonic motion (mass on a spring, pendulum motion) related to wave motion?
Speed of a Wave Lab
What types of variables affect the speed of a wave on a string?
Vibrating Spring Lab
What is the mathematical relationship between the spacing distance between adjacent nodes in a longitudinal standing wave pattern and the frequency of the vibrations which are causing the patterns?
Nodes and Antinodes Lab
How is the number of nodes and antinodes in a longitudinal standing wave related to the vibrational frequency?
Harmonic Frequencies Lab
How can the individual harmonic frequencies of the standing wave patterns for a string be mathematically related?
Wave Behavior Demonstration Lab
What are some classical wave behaviors and how can they be described both verbally and graphically?