Procedure:Go to:http://phet.colorado.edu/new/simulations/

Start the simulation titled "Waves on A String" by typing that into the "Search" Box.Click on Run Now. Adjust the settings on the simulation for zero damping, high tension, manual operation & no end. Wiggle the left end up and down by moving the mouse vertically one time returning to the rest position.

1. Change the settings to oscillate with a frequency of 0.30. Set the amplitude to 0.50, with zero damping and high tension. How do the individual particles move in comparison to each other?

1. Pause the wave and sketch its appearance. Label your wave sketch for crest, trough, amplitude, and wavelength.

1. Click on the ruler and drag it so that the bottom of the ruler is lined up with the highest part of the wave (the crest). Use a ruler to measure the distance between the crests (the wavelength). Wavelength = ________

1. What is the distance between the highest points of the wave?____ The lowest?____ Try measuring it from the middle. How does the distance compare?

1. Try changing the frequency to 0.60. How does the wavelength compared to the wavelength with a frequency of 0.30?___________

1. Change the amplitude to 0.75 and change frequency back to 0.30. Pause the wave again. Does this change the distance between crests? Is the overall wavelength the same as before?

1. Next, adjust tension one notch down. Does this affect amplitude?____ Does this affect wavelength?_____

1. As tension goes down, what happens to the wavelength?______

1. Change to pulse, fixed end with zero dampening and high tension. Send a pulse and observe what happens to the reflected wave. Sketch the pulse shape before and after the reflection with the fixed end.

1. Change to loose end and repeat. Sketch the pulse shape before and after the reflection with the loose end.

1. Reset the wave to oscillate, adjust amplitude to 1.00, change frequency to 3.0 and change dampening to the middle of the selector. What happens to the wave?

1. What you think dampening means in terms of energy?