PhysicsLAB: Wave Pulses

PhysicsLAB

Worksheet
Wave Pulses

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When two or more waves travelling through the same medium overlap [or meet] they superposition and the observor only sees their interference pattern. Once they pass through one another, the observor once again sees the individual waves. The mechanism by which they superposition is called "addition of ordinates;" that is, their vertical displacements reinforce or cancel eath other.

Before starting this worksheet, take a moment and examine the superposition of several different types of pulses in these animations by Zona Land Education.

Question #1: Two pulses traveling in the same uniform medium approach each other, as shown in the diagram below.

Which diagram best represents the superposition of the two pulses?

Question #2: The diagram below represents two pulses approaching each other.

Which diagram best represents the resultant pulse at the instant the pulses are passing through each other?

Question #3:

Question #4:

Question #5: As shown in the diagram below, a transverse wave is moving with velocity v along a rope. In which direction will segment X move as the wave passes through it?

down only
up only
down, then up, then down
up, then down, then up

Question #6: The diagram below shows two pulses traveling toward each other in a uniform medium.

Which diagram best represents the medium when the pulses meet at point X?

Question #7: The diagram below shows two pulses, A and B, approaching each other in a uniform medium.

Which diagram best represents the superposition of the two pulses?

Question #8: Two pulses, A and B, travel toward each other along the same rope, as shown below.

When the centers of the two pulses meet point X, the amplitude at the center of the resultant pulse will be

+1 unit+2 units0 units-1 units

Question #9: The diagram below represents two waves of equal amplitude and frequency approaching point P as they move through the same medium.

As the two waves pass through each other, the medium at point P will

vibrate up and down
vibrate left and right
vibrate into and out of the page
remain absolutely stationary

Question #10: The diagram below shows two pulses of equal amplitude, A, approaching point P along a uniform string.

When the two pulses meet at P, the vertical displacement of the string at P will be

A2A00.5 A

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Lab:	Labs - Directions: Constructive and Destructive Interference Labs - Doppler Effect: Source Moving Labs - Frequency of Vibrating Strings Labs - Illuminance by a Light Source Labs - Inertial Mass Labs - Interference Shading Labs - Pipe Music Labs - Relationship Between Tension in a String and Wave Speed Labs - Relationship Between Tension in a String and Wave Speed Along the String Labs - Ripple Tank Checklists Labs - Ripple Tank Checklists Labs - Ripple Tank Sample Solutions Labs - Ripple Tank Student Involvement Sheet Labs - Simple Pendulums: Class Data Labs - Simple Pendulums: LabPro Data Labs - Speed of a Wave Along a Spring Labs - Speed of Sound in Air Labs - Speed of Sound in Copper Labs - Video: Law of Reflection Labs - Video: Law of Reflection Sample Diagram
Resource Lesson:	RL - Barrier Waves, Bow Waves, and Shock Waves RL - Beats: An Example of Interference RL - Interference of Waves RL - Interference: In-phase Sound Sources RL - Introduction to Sound RL - Law of Reflection RL - Physical Optics - Thin Film Interference RL - Resonance in Pipes RL - Resonance in Strings RL - Ripple Tank Video Guides RL - SHM Equations RL - Simple Harmonic Motion RL - Sound Level Intensity RL - Speed of Waves Along a String RL - The Doppler Effect RL - Vibrating Systems - Simple Pendulums RL - Vibration Graphs RL - Wave Fundamentals RL - Waveform vs Vibration Graphs REV - Orbitals
Review:	REV - Chapter 26: Sound REV - Honors Review: Waves and Introductory Skills REV - Physics I Review: Waves and Introductory Skills REV - Sound REV - Waves and Sound REV - Waves and Sound
Worksheet:	APP - Echo Chamber APP - The Dog-Eared Page CP - Light Properties CP - Reflection CP - Shock Waves CP - Sound CP - Waves and Vibrations NT - Apparent Depth NT - Atmospheric Refraction NT - Concert NT - Light vs Sound Waves NT - Shock Cone NT - Sound Waves NT - Standing Waves WS - Beats WS - Beats, Doppler, Resonance Pipes, and Sound Intensity WS - Counting Vibrations and Calculating Frequency/Period WS - Doppler - A Challenge Problem WS - Doppler Effect WS - Fixed and Free-end Reflections WS - Fundamental Wave Terms WS - Illuminance 1 WS - Illuminance 2 WS - Interference: In-phase Sound Sources WS - Lab Discussion: Inertial and Gravitational Mass WS - More Practice with Resonance in Pipes WS - More Practice with the Doppler Practice WS - Practice with Resonance in Pipes WS - Practice with the Doppler Effect WS - Practice: Speed of a Wave Along a String WS - Pulse Superposition: Interference WS - Ripple Tank Review WS - Sound Vocabulary WS - Speed of Sound WS - Speed of Sound (Honors) WS - Standing Wave Patterns #1 WS - Standing Wave Patterns #2 WS - Standing Wave Patterns #3 WS - Standing Wave Patterns #4 WS - Vibrating Systems - Period and Frequency WS - Wave Phenomena Reading Guide WS - Waveform and Vibration Graphs #1 WS - Waveform and Vibration Graphs #2 TB - 25A: Introduction to Waves and Vibrations TB - 25B: Vibrations and Waves TB - 25C: Wave Speed TB - 25D: Interference TB - 25E: Doppler TB - 25F: Doppler Effect (continued) TB - 26B: Speed of Sound TB - 26C: Resonance TB - 26D: Beats TB - 26E: Decibels TB - 27A: Light Properties TB - Decibels and Sound Intensity #1 TB - Decibels and Sound Intensity #2 TB - Interference Re-examined TB - Refraction Phenomena Reading Questions TB - Sound: Mixed Practice TB - Waves and Vibrations

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