Wave on a String

Wave on a String Screenshot
  • Waves
  • Frequency
  • Amplitude
Flash Logo Original Sim and Translations

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.

Standards Alignment

Common Core - Math

HSF-TF.B.5
Choose trigonometric functions to model periodic phenomena with specified amplitude, frequency, and midline.*
Version 1.1.22

Teacher Tips

Download teacher tips PDF Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ).

Teacher-Submitted Activities

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
MS		 HW
Remote
Lab
Demo
MC		 Physics
Mathematics
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		 MC Physics
Algebra-based Physics Semester one lessons, clicker questions, and schedule in pdf (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		 HW
Lab
Demo		 Physics
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		 Lab
Demo		 Physics
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 Physics
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		 Demo
CQs		 Physics
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 Physics
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 Physics
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 Physics
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 MS
UG-Intro
HS		 HW Physics
How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? This contribution was designed by PhET. Sarah Borenstein MS Other Biology
Physics
Earth Science
Chemistry
Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS This contribution was designed by PhET. Trish Loeblein updated by Diana López HS
MS		 Other Earth Science
Chemistry
Biology
Physics
Speed of a Mechanical Wave Ferdinand Bautista MS
HS		 Guided
Lab		 Physics
Properties of Waves Virtual Lab Amy Mattes MS Lab
Guided		 Physics
Guided Discovery for Waves on a String Don Loving HS
MS
UG-Intro		 Lab
HW
Guided		 Physics
Mapping of PhET and IBDP Physics Jaya Ramchandani HS Other Physics
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment Elyse Zimmer MS
HS		 Other Chemistry
Biology
Physics
Properties of Waves - Lab Guide Ryan Aman MS Lab
Guided		 Physics
Waves on a String and Wave Interference Virtual Labs Jennifer Hamilton MS
HS		 Guided
HW
Lab		 Physics
Waves on a string Jason Mcclurg UG-Intro
HS		 Lab Physics
Activity: Wave on a String Aaron Keller MS
HS
UG-Intro		 Discuss
Guided
Lab		 Chemistry
Astronomy
Physics
Speed of Wave Investigation David Garza MS
HS		 Lab Physics
Wave Properties and Interactions Lab Manual Fatih Gozuacik MS
HS		 Guided
Lab		 Physics
Waves on a String AP1 Sarah Cunningham HS Lab
Guided		 Physics
Energy waves digital lab Martin Hofkamp MS
HS		 Lab
HW		 Physics
PHET Digtial Wave Lab Martin Hofkamp MS
K-5
HS		 HW
Lab		 Physics
Standing Waves Lab Kristin Mandsager HS Lab Physics
Wave Interference Shawna Carter MS
HS		 Lab
Guided		 Physics
Waves on a String Charlotte Daniell HS Lab
HW		 Physics
Lab- Wave Simulation Kyle Bracchi MS Lab
Guided		 Physics
Wave Investigation Chuck Faber MS Lab Physics
Experiment to determine relationship between wavelength, frequency and speed Mark Wilson MS Lab Physics
Wave Basics for Middle Schoolers Megan Elmore MS Guided Physics
Waves on a string Kim Diate and Jovelyn Ysa-al HS HW
Lab		 Physics
Types of Waves and its Parts Arnold Centural Jr. and Mark Anduyan HS
UG-Intro		 Guided
Discuss		 Physics
Preguntas de razonamiento para todas las simulaciones HTML5 A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines. This contribution was designed by PhET. Diana López MS
UG-Adv
UG-Intro
Grad
HS
K-5		 Discuss
HW		 Astronomy
Physics
Mathematics
Chemistry
SECUNDARIA: Alineación PhET con programas de la SEP México (2011 y 2017) This contribution was designed by PhET. Diana López HS
MS		 Other Physics
Biology
Mathematics
Chemistry
PREPARATORIA: Alineación de PhET con programas de la DGB México (2017) This contribution was designed by PhET. Diana López HS
UG-Intro		 Other Physics
Mathematics
Chemistry
PRIMARIA: Alineación con programas de la SEP México (2011 y 2017) This contribution was designed by PhET. Diana López MS
K-5		 HW
Guided
Lab
Discuss
Demo		 Chemistry
Mathematics
Astronomy
Physics
Brzina vala Karmen Prugovečki MS Guided Physics
Stehende Wellen mit der Simulation Seilwelle erforschen Vroni Retzer HS Guided Physics
Percobaan gelombang pada tali khairul jalil MS
HS		 Guided
Lab		 Physics
Siimulação PhET_Guia de Exploração_Onda numa corda Teresinha Patrício MS Guided
MC		 Physics
Atividade: Vales, Cristas e Ciclos Lisboa Coutinho HS
MS
UG-Intro		 Guided Physics
Velocidade do Pulso de Onda no "Wave on a String (HTML5)" Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales Other
MS
HS		 HW
Other
Guided		 Mathematics
Other
Earth Science
Physics
Ondas Mecânicas (em corda) no "Wave on a String (HTML5)" Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales Other
HS
MS		 HW
Guided
Other		 Other
Physics
Mathematics
Earth Science
ONDAS MECÁNICAS FRANCISCO CRUZ CANTU HS Guided
HW
Lab		 Physics
Guia katherine vergara MS Guided Physics

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HTML5 sims can run on iPads and Chromebooks, as well as PC, Mac, and Linux systems.

iPad:
iOS 12+ Safari
iPad compatible sims

Android:
Not officially supported. If you are using the HTML5 sims on Android, we recommend using the latest version of Google Chrome.

Chromebook:
Latest version of Google Chrome
The HTML5 and Flash PhET sims are supported on all Chromebooks.
Chromebook compatible sims

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Linux Systems:
Not officially supported. Please contact phethelp@colorado.edu with troubleshooting issues.

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)
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