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Created 12/2/15. Updates available online.

Wave on a String

Wave on a String Screenshot
  • Waves
  • Frequency
  • Amplitude
Flash Logo Original Sim and Translations

About

Topics

  • Waves
  • Frequency
  • Amplitude
  • Damping

Description

Explore the wonderful world of waves! Even observe a string vibrate in slow motion. Wiggle the end of the string and make waves, or adjust the frequency and amplitude of an oscillator.

Sample Learning Goals

  • Discuss wave properties using common vocabulary.
  • Predict the behavior of waves through varying medium and at reflective endpoints.
Version 1.0.0

For Teachers

Teacher-Submitted Activities

Title Gold Star Contribution Contribution by PhET Authors Level Type Updated
Wave unit (Inquiry Based) A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein UG-Intro
HS		 Lab
Demo
CQs		 5/27/15
Waves on a String (Inquiry Based) A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein UG-Intro
HS		 Lab
CQs		 5/27/15
EM wave analogy tutorial A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Noah Podolefksy UG-Intro Lab 5/27/15
Wave demonstrations: water, sound, light (Inquiry Based) A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein UG-Intro
HS		 Demo
CQs		 5/27/15
Wave clicker questions (Inquiry Based) A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein UG-Intro
HS		 CQs 5/27/15
Concept questions for Physics using PhET (Inquiry Based) A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein HS
UG-Intro		 CQs 5/27/15
Speed of a Wave NGSS aligned A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. Susie Dykstra HS Lab 9/2/15
Waves on a String HTML5 PreAP Lesson A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. Elyse Zimmer HS Lab 8/20/15
Sound and Wave Basics A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. Dr. Wendy Adams and the Acoustical Society HS
UG-Intro
MS		 HW 8/20/15
Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein HS Other 10/19/15
How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? This contribution was designed by PhET. Sarah Borenstein MS Other 10/19/15
Experiment to determine relationship between wavelength, frequency and speed Mark Wilson MS Lab 11/29/15
Wave Basics for Middle Schoolers Megan Elmore MS Guided 11/12/15
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment Elyse Zimmer MS
HS		 Other 10/19/15
Waves on a string Kim Diate and Jovelyn Ysa-al HS HW
Lab		 8/30/15
Types of Waves and its Parts Arnold Centural Jr. and Mark Anduyan UG-Intro
HS		 Guided
Discuss		 8/29/15

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Software Requirements

Windows 7+ Mac OS 10.7+ iPad and iPad Mini with iOS Chromebook with Chrome OS
Internet Explorer 10+
latest versions of Chrome and Firefox
Safari 6.1 and up
latest versions of Chrome and Firefox
latest version of Safari
latest version of Chrome

Credits

Design Team Third-party Libraries Thanks To
  • Ariel Paul (lead)
  • Michael Dubson (lead, developer)
  • Jonathan Olson (developer)
  • Patricia Loeblein
  • Kathy Perkins
  • Amy Rouinfar
  • Sharon Siman-Tov (graphic arts)
  • Mobile Learner Labs
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