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In this optics activity, learners explore interference by adding wax blocks to a ripple tank. Learners will discover how and why interference bands (or fringes) occur when waves collide and cross paths. This activity is recommended as a follow-up to "The Ripple Tank" and "Diffraction Between Wax Blocks" activities (see related resources).
- 10 to 30 minutes
- 5 to 10 minutes
- $1 - $5 per student
- Ages 14 - adult
- Activity
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per student)
- Wax blocks
- A sharp knife
- The ripple tank from the Ripple Tank experiment
- A pencil or dowel, or a six inch ruler, to create straight line waves
Subjects
-
Life Sciences
-
Human Senses and Perception
- Vision
-
Human Senses and Perception
-
Physical Sciences
-
Vibration and Waves
- Wave Properties
- Wave Motion
- Diffraction and Interference
-
Vibration and Waves
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
-
The Scientific Process
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Cobb, Vicki ; Cobb, Josh
Rights:
- All rights reserved, Optical Society of America, 2008