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Created 3/29/16. 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 1.1.1

For Teachers

Teacher-Submitted Activities

Title Gold Star Contribution Contribution by PhET Authors Level Type
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		 Demo
Lab
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		 CQs
Lab
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
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		 CQs
Demo
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
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 UG-Intro
HS		 CQs
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
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
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 UG-Intro
HS
MS		 HW
How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? This contribution was designed by PhET. Sarah Borenstein MS Other
Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein HS Other
Wave Investigation Chuck Faber MS Lab
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment Elyse Zimmer HS
MS		 Other
Experiment to determine relationship between wavelength, frequency and speed Mark Wilson MS Lab
Wave Basics for Middle Schoolers Megan Elmore MS Guided
Waves on a string Kim Diate and Jovelyn Ysa-al HS HW
Lab
Types of Waves and its Parts Arnold Centural Jr. and Mark Anduyan HS
UG-Intro		 Discuss
Guided

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Translations

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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