The Ripple Tank Model for Teachers allows instructors to simulate 2D wave interference. A ripple tank is a shallow glass tank of water used to demonstrate the basic properties of waves. The tank is usually illuminated from above, so that the light shines through the water. The ripples on the water show up as shadows on the screen underneath the tank. In the default visualization the wave crests and troughs are shown as red and blue. Users can change the number of sources, their amplitude and phase, and other parameters. Selecting student mode repackages the modified simulation into a stand-alone jar file with fewer options for classroom use.
The Ripple Tank Model for Teachers was created using the Easy Java Simulations (EJS) modeling tool. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive. Double clicking the ejs_waves_teacher_RippleTank.jar file will run the program if Java is installed.
Please note that this resource requires
at least version 1.6 of Java (JRE).
Ripple Tank Model: Additional Documentation Regarding Customization
A pdf file that provides additional documentation regarding customization of this simulation. download 199kb .pdf
Published: June 9, 2012
previous versions
Ripple Tank 2-Source Exploration
Exploration sheet for the Ripple Tank 2-Source exploration exercise. download 107kb .pdf
Published: June 9, 2012
previous versions
Ripple Tank 2-Source Exploration Simulation
This model provides a standing wave for use with the Ripple Tank 2-Source Exploration. download 1704kb .jar
Published: June 9, 2012
previous versions
Ripple Tank for Teachers Source Code
The source code zip archive contains an XML representation of the Ripple Tank Model for Teachers. Unzip this archive in your EJS workspace to compile and run this model using EJS. download 46kb .zip
Last Modified: June 11, 2014
previous versions
6-8: 4F/M4. Vibrations in materials set up wavelike disturbances that spread away from the source. Sound and earthquake waves are examples. These and other waves move at different speeds in different materials.
6-8: 4F/M7. Wave behavior can be described in terms of how fast the disturbance spreads, and in terms of the distance between successive peaks of the disturbance (the wavelength).
9-12: 4F/H6ab. Waves can superpose on one another, bend around corners, reflect off surfaces, be absorbed by materials they enter, and change direction when entering a new material. All these effects vary with wavelength.
W. Christian, Computer Program RIPPLE TANK MODEL FOR TEACHERS (2012), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=12043&DocID=2938).
W. Christian, Computer Program RIPPLE TANK MODEL FOR TEACHERS (2012), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=12043&DocID=2938>.
Christian, W. (2012). Ripple Tank Model for Teachers [Computer software]. Retrieved October 3, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=12043&DocID=2938
Christian, Wolfgang. "Ripple Tank Model for Teachers." https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=12043&DocID=2938 (accessed 3 October 2024).
%A Wolfgang Christian %T Ripple Tank Model for Teachers %D June 7, 2012 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=12043&DocID=2938 %O application/java
%0 Computer Program %A Christian, Wolfgang %D June 7, 2012 %T Ripple Tank Model for Teachers %8 June 7, 2012 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=12043&DocID=2938
Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
3 supplemental documents are available
Record Link
Save to my folders
