GCSE Physics Required Practical: Investigating Mechanical Waves

Key Stage 4

Investigate the features of mechanical waves.


A diagram of the apparatus used to investigate the features of mechanical waves.

Set up the equipment as shown in the diagram.

Count the number of waves that pass a given point over 10 seconds.
Divide the number of waves by the 10 seconds to find the frequency of the waves.
Measure the length of the ripple tank from paddle to end using a ruler.
Use a stopwatch to time how long it takes for a wave to travel this displacement.
Use the equation \(v=\frac{s}{t}\) to find the velocity of the wave.
Use the equation \(v=f \lambda\) to find the wavelength of the wave.

Count the number of waves over a greater period of time greater than 10 seconds to reduce the effect of human error on the frequency.

Counting the number of waves over a greater period of time greater than 10 seconds will create an average of the frequency over more waves and therefore increasing the precision.


A diagram of the apparatus used to investigate the features of mechanical waves.

Set up the equipment as shown in the diagram.

Count the number of waves that pass a given point over 10 seconds.
Divide the number of waves by the 10 seconds to find the frequency of the waves.
Measure the length of the ripple tank from paddle to end using a ruler.
Use a stopwatch to time how long it takes for a wave to travel this displacement.
Use the equation \(v=\frac{s}{t}\) to find the velocity of the wave.
Use the equation \(v=f \lambda\) to find the wavelength of the wave.

Count the number of waves over a greater period of time greater than 10 seconds to reduce the effect of human error on the frequency.

Counting the number of waves over a greater period of time greater than 10 seconds will create an average of the frequency over more waves and therefore increasing the precision.