Name:________________________

Waves 5: Reflection and Interference Lab

Learning Goals
1. Differentiate between the reflection of a 1-D transverse wave at fixed and at open
boundaries
2. Describe interference of single pulse overlapping
3. Identify where peaks and valleys occur in interference patterns

Simulations Used
Waves on a String - http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/wave-on-a-string
Sound - http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/sound

Activity
1) Observe Reflection of Pulses at Different Boundary conditions
a) Open Waves on a string.
b) Launch single transverse pulse (damping = 0 , tension = max BC = fixed)
2) Observe phase of reflected pulse.
a) Draw two pictures. One of the single pulse heading away from and one of the
pulse after it is reflected back.

b) Make a prediction if pulse is launched in opposite direction. What will the

reflected pulse look like? (Use complete sentences)

c) Test prediction with simulation. How did your prediction compare with the
simulation?

d) Change BC to open and predict what you think the reflected pulse will look like.
Name:________________________
Waves 5: Reflection and Interference Lab

e) Why do you think that you above prediction will happen. (What lead you to that
conclusion). Use complete sentence(s).

f) Test prediction for pulses launched in both directions.

g) Summarize behavior of pulses reflected at the two different types of boundaries.

h) Explore effect of varying pulse duration, amplitude and so on. What did you
find?

3) Observe Interference of two pulses

a) Open Sound Simulation
b) Choose interference by reflection tab
c) Set wall to vertical, move the wall back(about half), and choose single pulses
d) Launch two single pulses and pause them just before the reflected first pulse
overlaps the incoming second
e) Use the step button to advance the pulses and using complete sentences describe
the appearance as the different parts overlaps. Keep in mind that the intensity of
the wave (or amplitude) is shown by how dark/light the waves are.

f) Identify when the overlap is maximum and minimum

g) Explore effects of varying amplitude and frequency. What did you find?
Name:________________________
Waves 5: Reflection and Interference Lab

4) Observe two source interference pattern

a) Click on two source tab
b) Run it and run with it. Tell me what you observed/found/learned.

Extension – Slinkys – Extra Credit

1. Predict the behavior of a pulse on a slinky launched at fixed and free boundries.

2. Test out your predictions. What did you find?

3. Predict what will happen when two pulses in phase (both amplitudes in the same
direction ____| |_____| |_____) are launched towards each other from opposite
ends.
4. Test your prediction. What did you find?

5. Predict what will happen when two pulses out of phase (amplitudes in the opposite
direction) are launched towards each other from opposite ends.

6. Test your prediction. What did you find?