Wave on a String
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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
Teacher Tips
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Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Video Primer
Teacher-Submitted Activities
Waves on a String (Inquiry Based) |
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Trish Loeblein | MS UG-Intro HS |
MC Remote Lab HW Demo |
Physics Mathematics |
Concept questions for Physics using PhET (Inquiry Based) |
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Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
MC | Physics |
Algebra-based Physics Semester one lessons, clicker questions, and schedule in pdf (Inquiry Based) |
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Trish Loeblein | HS UG-Intro |
Lab Demo HW |
Physics |
Wave unit (Inquiry Based) |
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Trish Loeblein | UG-Intro HS |
Lab Demo |
Physics |
EM wave analogy tutorial |
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Noah Podolefksy | UG-Intro | Lab | Physics |
Wave demonstrations: water, sound, light (Inquiry Based) |
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Trish Loeblein | HS UG-Intro |
Demo CQs |
Physics |
Wave clicker questions (Inquiry Based) |
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Trish Loeblein | HS UG-Intro |
CQs | Physics |
Speed of a Wave NGSS aligned |
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Susie Dykstra | HS | Lab | Physics | |
Waves on a String HTML5 PreAP Lesson |
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Elyse Zimmer | HS | Lab | Physics | |
Sound and Wave Basics |
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Dr. Wendy Adams and the Acoustical Society | MS HS UG-Intro |
HW | Physics | |
Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS |
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Trish Loeblein updated by Diana López | MS HS |
Other | Earth Science Biology Physics Chemistry |
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How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? |
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Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | Chemistry Earth Science Biology Physics |
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Waves on a String | Matthew Montamat | MS HS |
Guided Remote HW Demo Lab |
Physics | ||
Properties of Waves | Patrice Edwards | UG-Adv UG-Intro Other MS HS |
HW Other Lab Guided |
Physics Other Earth Science |
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Waves on a String Lab | Joe Cossette | MS HS |
Lab Remote Guided |
Physics | ||
Properties of Waves and Wave Speed | Steve Kirsche | MS | Lab | Physics | ||
Guided Discovery (Chinese/English) for Freshman University Physics: 6. Wave Interference | Janet Chen (陳衫豫), Charity Grace White (白愛恩), Jonathon David White (白小明 | UG-Intro | Lab Remote Guided |
Physics | ||
Guided Discovery (Chinese/English) for Freshman University Physics: 5. Introduction to Waves | Janet Chen (陳衫豫), Charity Grace White (白愛恩), Jonathon David White (白小明) | UG-Intro | Guided Remote Lab |
Physics | ||
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment | Elyse Zimmer | MS HS |
Other | Physics Biology Chemistry |
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Wave on a String, No End, Pre/In/Post-Class Worksheet | Solmaz Khodaeifaal | HS MS |
Lab Demo Guided HW |
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 | UG-Intro MS HS |
Lab Guided HW |
Physics | ||
Mapping of PhET and IBDP Physics | Jaya Ramchandani | HS | Other | Physics | ||
Properties of Waves - Lab Guide | Ryan Aman | MS | Lab Guided |
Physics | ||
Waves on a String and Wave Interference Virtual Labs | Jennifer Hamilton | HS MS |
Guided Lab HW |
Physics | ||
Waves on a string | Jason Mcclurg | HS UG-Intro |
Lab | Physics | ||
Activity: Wave on a String | Aaron Keller | MS HS UG-Intro |
Discuss Lab Guided |
Astronomy Chemistry Physics |
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Speed of Wave Investigation | David Garza | MS HS |
Lab | Physics | ||
Wave Properties and Interactions Lab Manual | Fatih Gozuacik | MS HS |
Lab Guided |
Physics | ||
Waves on a String AP1 | Sarah Cunningham | HS | Guided Lab |
Physics | ||
Energy waves digital lab | Martin Hofkamp | MS HS |
HW Lab |
Physics | ||
PHET Digtial Wave Lab | Martin Hofkamp | HS K-5 MS |
Lab HW |
Physics | ||
Standing Waves Lab | Kristin Mandsager | HS | Lab | Physics | ||
Wave Interference | Shawna Carter | HS MS |
Guided Lab |
Physics | ||
Waves on a String | Charlotte Daniell | HS | Lab HW |
Physics | ||
Lab- Wave Simulation | Kyle Bracchi | MS | Guided Lab |
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 | Lab HW |
Physics | ||
Types of Waves and its Parts | Arnold Centural Jr. and Mark Anduyan | HS UG-Intro |
Guided Discuss |
Physics | ||
Serie de Labs virtuales de Ondas |
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Trish Loeblein (traducción de Diana López) | HS UG-Intro |
Lab Guided Discuss Remote HW |
Physics | |
SECUNDARIA: Alineación PhET con programas de la SEP México (2011 y 2017) |
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Diana López | MS HS |
Other | Biology Physics Mathematics Chemistry |
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PREPARATORIA: Alineación de PhET con programas de la DGB México (2017) |
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Diana López | UG-Intro HS |
Other | Mathematics Physics Chemistry |
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PRIMARIA: Alineación con programas de la SEP México (2011 y 2017) |
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Diana López | MS K-5 |
Lab HW Discuss Demo Guided |
Mathematics Physics Astronomy Chemistry |
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Preguntas de razonamiento para todas las simulaciones HTML5 |
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Diana López | UG-Intro HS MS K-5 UG-Adv Grad |
Discuss HW |
Astronomy Mathematics Physics Chemistry |
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大一物理引導式自我發現 (中文/英文): 干涉和衍射 | Janet Chen (陳衫豫), Charity Grace White (白愛恩), Jonathon David White (白小明 | UG-Intro | Lab Remote Guided |
Physics | ||
大一物理引導式自我發現 (中文/英文): 波浪介紹 | Janet Chen (陳衫豫), Charity Grace White (白愛恩), Jonathon David White (白小明) | UG-Intro | Remote Guided Lab |
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 |
Lab Guided |
Physics | ||
Siimulação PhET_Guia de Exploração_Onda numa corda | Teresinha Patrício | MS | MC Guided |
Physics | ||
Atividade: Vales, Cristas e Ciclos | Lisboa Coutinho | UG-Intro HS MS |
Guided | Physics | ||
Velocidade do Pulso de Onda no "Wave on a String (HTML5)" | Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales | MS HS Other |
HW Other Guided |
Physics Mathematics Other Earth Science |
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Ondas Mecânicas (em corda) no "Wave on a String (HTML5)" | Artur Araújo Cavalcante e Gilvandenys Leite Sales | HS MS Other |
HW Other Guided |
Other Physics Earth Science Mathematics |
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Hoja de predicciones | Heriberto Cota V. | UG-Intro | Remote | Other Physics |
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Laboratorio de ondas | Walter Manuel Trujillo Yaipen | HS UG-Intro MS Other |
Other | Astronomy Other Chemistry Earth Science |
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UNIDAD 1 S3 L1 MOVIMIENTO ONDULATORIO (ONDAS MECÁNICAS) | FRANCISCO CRUZ CANTU | HS | HW Guided Lab |
Physics | ||
Guia | katherine vergara | MS | Guided | Physics |
Browse legacy activities.
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
Windows Systems:
Microsoft Edge, latest version of Firefox, latest version of Google Chrome.
Macintosh Systems:
macOS 10.13+, Safari 13+, latest version of Chrome.
Linux Systems:
Not officially supported. Please contact phethelp@colorado.edu with troubleshooting issues.
Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
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