Ripple Tank

Ripple Tank

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Description
The ripple tank demonstrated a variety of wave phenomena, and was the best known device created by the Physical Sciences Study Committee (PSSC). It was introduced in the late 1950s and remained essentially unchanged for 50 years. In this example, the tank is made of glass with wooden sides and 4 aluminum legs. A support rod, V-shaped base, and clamps hold the high power lamp. Two wooden square rods serve as straight wave generators; each is equipped with a small motor. There are, in addition, several yellow ball wave generators and several foam rubber baffles.
The light source consists of a 150-watt glass lamp mounted in a well-ventilated flat black shield. Its box is marked: The Science Source®. This firm was established in Waldoboro, Maine, in 1986. It is still in business and still selling light sources of this sort. See http://thesciencesource.com
References: PSSC, "Physics Laboratory Guide" (1960), pp. 26-33 (photos and diagrams of several ripple tank set-ups).
Central Scientific Company, "Educational Catalog" (1974), p. 48 (for ripple tank).
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
ripple tank
Date made
late 1950s
maker
Physical Science Study Committee
Place Made
United States: Massachusetts, Cambridge
Physical Description
wood (sides material)
glass (tank material)
metal (legs material)
Measurements
overall: 22 1/2 in x 22 1/2 in x 2 1/2 in; 57.15 cm x 57.15 cm x 6.35 cm
overall; ripple tank: 2 1/2 in x 22 1/2 in x 22 1/2 in; 6.35 cm x 57.15 cm x 57.15 cm
overall; lamp box: 4 7/8 in x 12 7/8 in x 9 1/2 in; 12.3825 cm x 32.7025 cm x 24.13 cm
overall; tray with parts: 2 3/4 in x 14 1/2 in x 24 1/8 in; 6.985 cm x 36.83 cm x 61.2775 cm
ID Number
2007.0043.05
catalog number
2007.0043.05
accession number
2007.0043
Credit Line
Gift of Uri Haber-Schaim
subject
Science & Scientific Instruments
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Physical Sciences
Sputnik
Science & Mathematics
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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