RIPPLE TANK APPARATUS FUNCTIONS
1. Tank: The tank itself is usually a rectangular or square container filled with water. This is where the
experiments with water waves take place.
2. Ripple Generator: Some ripple tanks have additional ripple generators that can produce specific types of
waves, such as circular waves or plane waves.
3. Adjustable Controls: Depending on the model, there may be controls to adjust the frequency, amplitude,
and other parameters of the waves generated in the tank.
4. Light Source: A ripple tank often includes a light source, such as a lamp or laser, to illuminate the water's
surface. The light creates a shadow effect that helps visualize the wave patterns. The light can be used as a
steady source or as a strobe to ]freeze^ the motion of the wave patterns.
5. Screen: A screen or projection surface is placed above the tank, where the wave patterns are projected.
This can be a piece of paper or a white surface on which the shadow of the waves is observed.
6. Screen Assembly: often positioned above the water tank. It serves as a surface on which the patterns
created by water waves are projected or displayed. The screen allows observers to see and analyze the
wave behavior more clearly, as it provides a fixed reference point for viewing the wave patterns.
7. Velcro Hook Material: will hold the loop material on the top edge of the projector screen.
8. 3 Pegs: found below the back edge of the frame that fit into the holes in the top edge of the reflector
9. Threaded Hole: on the top side of the back edge is for the rod that can support the Light Source that is
included in the WA-9896 Ripple Generator and Light Source
10. 4 foam ‘beaches’- when the ripple tank is in use, dampen the waves that would otherwise reflect and
disturb the primary wave and interference patterns
11. Drain Pipe/Hole: a piece of flexible vinyl tubing attached below the drain hole at the back corner of the
tank
12. Surfactant: helps to avoid problems with the surface tension of the water
13. Pipette: used for accurately measuring and transferring small volumes of liquid
14. Barriers or obstacles: can be used to demonstrate various principles of wave behavior, such as
reflection, diffraction, and interference. The specific function of a "Mini barrier" in such a tank would
depend on its design and how it's used in experiments or demonstrations.
15. Refractors in an optical or wave-based system are often used to bend or manipulate the path of waves or
light. They can be used for various purposes, such as demonstrating refraction, dispersion, or other optical
phenomena. In the context of a ripple tank, refractors might be used to alter the path of water waves to
illustrate specific wave properties or principles.
16. Glass Reflector: helps in visualizing these wave behaviors by creating a well-defined area of reflection
within the tank. As a result, you can see how waves behave when they encounter obstacles or boundaries,
as well as how they reflect and interfere with each other.
17. Rod: could be used as a support structure to hold various components of the ripple tank, including the
light source, vibrator, or wave generator. The rod could be adjustable in height, allowing you to control
the depth of the water in the tank or the position of the light source or wave generator, which can affect
the experiments you conduct. The rod may help stabilize the equipment, ensuring that the various
components are properly aligned and do not move during experiments.
18. Dippers: used to create waves on the surface of the water. They can be designed to vibrate or oscillate in
a controlled manner, causing waves to propagate outward from the dipper.
19. Actuators: could be responsible for generating the initial disturbance that creates waves in the water or
for adjusting the properties of the waves, such as their frequency or amplitude.
