Build · observe · measure · explain

Ripple Tank & Wavefront Lab

Change the apparatus and watch the wave respond. Freeze the pattern, make a measurement and use precise wave language to explain what happened.

AQA GCSE waves OCR GCSE waves AQA 7408 OCR A 4.4

Investigation 01

Measure a progressive wave

Use several wavefront spacings to find wavelength, then test the wave equation.

Driver & water

Control the wave

Source frequency 2.00 Hz Driver amplitude 0.70 Water depth 6.0 mm Primary source

Show on the tank Direction arrows 10 cm grid Crisp wavefronts

Editable apparatus

Add to tank

0 items

Choose an item to add it, then drag it in the tank or use the precise controls below.

Top view · tank 120 cm × 72 cm

Live water surface

Paused

+ crest 0 rest − trough

Drag apparatus to move it. Select an item to edit it precisely.

Selected item

Nothing selected

Add apparatus or select it in the tank to reveal precise controls.

Spatial measurement

Wavefront ruler

36.0 cm

Measured across

Measured wavelength 12.0 cm

Move the green endpoints onto matching crests. More gaps reduce percentage uncertainty.

Point measurement

Displacement–time probe

0.00

Amplitude 0.00Period 0.50 s

Live analysis

Turn the pattern into physics

Frequency, f: 2.00 Hz
Period, T: 0.500 s
Wave speed, v: 24.0 cm s⁻¹
Model wavelength, λ: 12.0 cm

Wave equation v = fλ

What to notice

Wavefronts join points at the same phase. The wave travels at right angles to them; the water itself oscillates locally.

Discuss it

Increase frequency without changing depth. Which quantity must change, and which stays constant?

Key terms in this scene

Core

Practical & teacher lens

Freeze the pattern and measure across several wavelengths. In a real tank, reflections, parallax and broad crests all add uncertainty.

What the model represents

Colour is vertical displacement, not depth. This is an idealised two-dimensional wave model: real ripple tanks also show viscosity, dispersion and imperfect boundaries.