Question

A cork is dropped into a pool of water creating waves. Does the wavelength depend upon the height above the water from which the cork is dropped? Please explain

Answer 1

The cork initially has some potential energy when it is held above the water (the greater the height, the higher the potential energy). When it is dropped, such potential energy is converted to kinetic energy as the cork falls. When the cork hits the water, that energy travels through the water in waves.

Explanation:

In this lab, you will take measurements to determine how the amplitude and the period of waves are affected by the transfer of energy from a cork dropped into the water.

The cork initially has some potential energy when it is held above the water (the greater the height, the higher the potential energy).

When it is dropped, such potential energy is converted to kinetic energy as the cork falls. When the cork hits the water, that energy travels through the water in waves.

Materials :

1. large bowl or basin
2. water
3. cork (or ping pong ball)
4. stopwatch
5. measuring tape
6. Fill a large bowl or basin with water and wait for the water to settle so there are no ripples.
7. Gently drop a cork into the middle of the bowl.
8. Estimate the wavelength and the period of oscillation of the water wave that propagates away from the cork. You can estimate the period by counting the number of ripples from the center to the edge of the bowl while your partner times it. This information, combined with the bowl measurement, will give you the wavelength when the correct formula is used.
9. Remove the cork from the bowl and wait for the water to settle again.
10. Gently drop the cork at a height that is different from the first drop.
11. Repeat Steps 3 to 5 to collect a second and third set of data, dropping the cork from different heights and recording the resulting wavelengths and periods.
12. Interpret your results.