Wave Simulator Software

Abstract

The wave simulator. Click here for a larger image.
The wave simulator. Click here for a larger image.

Adjust wave parameters and observe wave motion. An installer is available. Contact us.

Portable

Yes

Principles Illustrated

Illustrates wave motion and the meaning of wave parameters.

NCEA & Science Curriculum

SCI 1.3, PHYS 1.4, PHYS 2.3, PHYS 3.3

Instructions

The simulator will launch running. Adjust the parameters and observe how the wave is affected.

Comments: This wave simulator is designed to help students understand wave parameters such as wavelength, period, frequency, phase, and amplitude. The wave equation is included although it is not part of NCEA level 2 or level 3 physics as the wave equation can can be taught as an extension.

If the wave speed switch (bottom near centre) is set to variable, the wavelength and frequency can be varied independently causing the wave speed to change. This helps students understand these parameters separately but the teacher will need to explain that real waves such as light and sound travel at a nearly constant speed in a particular medium so that increasing wavelength with decrease the frequency. This can be demonstrated by changing the switch to constant speed.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Requires at least an XGA display (1024 x 768).

The Wave Simulator app is small, but the LabVIEW Run Time engine requires significant space on your drive.

Safety

Individual teachers are responsible for safety in their own classes. Even familiar demonstrations should be practised and safety-checked by individual teachers before they are used in a classroom.

Related Resources

  • Slinky Pulses
  • Slinky Waves

Teaching Resources

Would you like to contribute lesson suggestions? Contact us.

Credits

This teaching resource was developed with support from

The MacDiarmid Institute
Faculty of Science, Victoria University of Wellington
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington

Copyright

Copyright and fair use statement