In a ripple tank, when water waves transition from a shallower region to a deeper region, their wavelength increases while their velocity decreases. This phenomenon is a result of the change in the water depth.
Water waves in a ripple tank exhibit properties similar to those of other waveforms. According to the wave theory, the speed (v) of a wave is determined by the product of its wavelength (λ) and frequency (f), following the equation v = λ * f.
When waves encounter a change in the medium, such as transitioning from a shallower region to a deeper region, their behavior is influenced by the properties of the new medium. In this case, the change in water depth affects the characteristics of the waves.
As water waves enter a deeper region in a ripple tank, the water depth increases. The depth of the water has a direct impact on the speed of the waves. According to the principle of wave propagation, as the water depth increases, the wave velocity decreases. This occurs because the deeper water exerts more resistance on the motion of the waves, leading to a decrease in speed.
Since the speed of the wave decreases while the frequency remains constant, the wavelength must increase to maintain the relationship v = λ * f. In other words, as the waves enter a deeper region, their wavelength increases to compensate for the decrease in velocity and maintain the same frequency.
In summary, when water waves enter a deeper region in a ripple tank, their wavelength increases due to the decrease in velocity caused by the increased water depth.