Help with 2D Waves: Setting Up a Ripple Tank Diagram

[wikidrox]

Here is the question

In a ripple tank experiment to demonstrate wave interference, two point sources having a common frequency of 6.0 Hz are used. The sources are 5.0 cm apart and vibrate in phase. A meter stick is placed in the water parallel to the line joining the sources. The central axis of the pattern crosses the meter stick at 50 cm. The first two nodal lines cross the meter stick at the 40 cm and 60 cm mark. Each of these points is 50 cm from the midpoint of the line joining the sources.

Find the wavelength.

I won't have a problem finding the wavelength if I could just understand how to set up the diagram. Please help.

 

[Doc Al]

picture this

I won't have a problem finding the wavelength if I could just understand how to set up the diagram.

Imagine an x-y plane. Let's put the two sources on the x-axis at x = -2.5 cm and x = +2.5 cm. The central axis of the pattern is along the y-axis. So the meterstick is placed parallel the x-axis (the 50 cm mark of the stick is at x = 0) at some value of y. You can figure out exactly where the stick is since you are told that the 40 cm and 60 cm marks are 50 cm from the origin.

Got it? Now draw it.

 

[M98Ranger]

Sure, I'd be happy to help you with setting up the diagram for this ripple tank experiment. First, let's start by drawing a rectangle to represent the ripple tank. Label the length and width of the rectangle as 50 cm each, to match the distance from the central axis to the first two nodal lines.

Next, draw two small circles on either side of the central axis, representing the two point sources. Label them as source A and source B. These sources are 5.0 cm apart, so make sure to leave enough space between the circles.

Now, draw a straight line connecting source A and source B. This will represent the line joining the sources. The meter stick should be placed parallel to this line, so draw a line representing the meter stick somewhere in the middle of the ripple tank.

Next, we need to mark the points where the central axis and the first two nodal lines cross the meter stick. From the information given, we know that the central axis crosses at the 50 cm mark and the first two nodal lines cross at the 40 cm and 60 cm marks. So, make sure to label these points on the meter stick line.

Finally, to find the wavelength, we need to measure the distance between the first two nodal lines. From the diagram, we can see that this distance is 20 cm (60 cm - 40 cm). Remember, the wavelength is the distance between two adjacent peaks or troughs of a wave, so in this case, it is the distance between the first two nodal lines.

Therefore, the wavelength would be 20 cm. I hope this helps you understand how to set up the diagram for this experiment. Good luck with your ripple tank experiment!