Detail Page
Wave Machine Model
written by
Wolfgang Christian
This model simulates the wave generating machine created by John Shive at Bell Laboratories and made famous by the Similarities in Wave Behavior film. The machine consists of horizontal cross-bars welded to a central wire spine that is perpendicular to the bars. The spine was constructed so that it can freely twist, allowing the cross-bars to produce wave-like patterns. The simulation allows various pulse shapes to be sent down the machine by selecting a function for the twist of the first rod or by dragging the first rod. The far end of the wave machine can be free or fixed, which changes the nature of the reflected wave. Change the lengths of the bars to simulate the effect of a wave propagating in a non-uniform medium.
The original film that introduced Dr. Shive's wave generating machine can be viewed at no cost: Film: Similarities of Wave Behavior (AT&T Archives and History Collection). The Wave Machine model is a supplemental simulation for the article "Standing Waves in a Nonuniform Medium" by Paul Gluck in The Physics Teacher 49(2), 76-77 (2011) and has been approved by the authors and The Physics Teacher editor. The Wave Machine model was created using the Easy Java Simulations (EJS) modeling tool. It is distributed as a ready-to-run (compiled) Java archive. Please note that this resource requires at least version 1.5 of Java.
AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)4. The Physical Setting
4F. Motion
9. The Mathematical World
9C. Shapes
11. Common Themes
11B. Models
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics AlignmentsStandards for Mathematical Practice (K-12)
MP.4 Model with mathematics.
High School — Algebra (9-12)
Creating Equations? (9-12)
High School — Functions (9-12)
Interpreting Functions (9-12)
Building Functions (9-12)
Trigonometric Functions (9-12)
This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.
Topic: Wave Energy
Unit Title: Standing Waves and Resonance This model simulates the wave-generating machine created by John Shive at Bell Laboratories and made famous by the Similarities in Wave Behavior film. The simulation produces sinusoidal waves by twisting the first rod with a given frequency and amplitude. Students can set the end to be free or fixed, select a function for twisting the first rod, add a damping force, or change the length of the bars to visualize how a wave propagates in a non-uniform medium. Graphs are displayed that plot mechanical energy as a function of frequency. Advanced students can compute the speed of the traveling waves at various frequencies and plot dispersion curves. Link to Unit:
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Record Link
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=10481">Christian, Wolfgang. "Wave Machine Model." Version 1.0.</a>
AIP Format
W. Christian, Computer Program WAVE MACHINE MODEL, Version 1.0 (2010), WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10481&DocID=1936).
AJP/PRST-PER
W. Christian, Computer Program WAVE MACHINE MODEL, Version 1.0 (2010), <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10481&DocID=1936>.
APA Format
Christian, W. (2010). Wave Machine Model (Version 1.0) [Computer software]. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10481&DocID=1936
Chicago Format
Christian, Wolfgang. "Wave Machine Model." Version 1.0. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10481&DocID=1936 (accessed 6 December 2024).
MLA Format
Christian, Wolfgang. Wave Machine Model. Vers. 1.0. Computer software. 2010. Java 1.5. 6 Dec. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10481&DocID=1936>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{
Author = "Wolfgang Christian",
Title = {Wave Machine Model},
Month = {November},
Year = {2010}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Wolfgang Christian %T Wave Machine Model %D November 10, 2010 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10481&DocID=1936 %O 1.0 %O application/java
EndNote Export Format
%0 Computer Program %A Christian, Wolfgang %D November 10, 2010 %T Wave Machine Model %7 1.0 %8 November 10, 2010 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=10481&DocID=1936 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.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. This resource is stored in 11 shared folders. You must login to access shared folders. Wave Machine Model:
Is Based On
Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool
The Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool is needed to explore the computational model used in the Wave Machine Model. relation by Wolfgang Christian
Is a Teaching Guide For
Physics Classroom: What is a Wave?
Is a Teaching Guide For
Physics Classroom: Boundary Behavior
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Easy Java Simulations Modeling and Authoring Tool Is a Teaching Guide ForPhysics Classroom: What is a Wave? Is a Teaching Guide ForSimilar Materials |