PASCO WA-9855 Wave Driver Instruction Manual
- June 9, 2024
- PASCO
Table of Contents
Wave Driver (WA-9855)
Product Guide | 012-17424A
Instruction Manual
WA-9855 Wave Driver
Features:
- Drive post
- Rod clamp
- Fuse holder
- Banana jacks
Included equipment:
- Wave Driver (WA-9855)
- Elastic cord
- Extra fuses (2)
Required equipment:
- Banana Plug Patch Cords (SE-9751)
- One of the following function generators:
– 550 Universal Interface (UI-5001)
– 850 Universal Interface (UI-5000)
– Sine Wave Generator (WA-9867)
– Function Generator (PI-8127)
Introduction
The Wave Driver is a strong, long-throw speaker with an attached drive post.
The top of the drive post has a slotted hole into which the included elastic
cord can be directly inserted. The speaker will vibrate at any frequency from
0.1 Hz to 5 kHz, with amplitudes up to 7 mm peak-to-peak at the low end of the
frequency range.
The Wave Driver allows you drive wave experiments with ease and accuracy. You
will need a function generator with an amplifier capable of producing a
minimum of 8 V at 0.5 A. (The Recommended equipment section lists function
generators provided by PASCO which meet this requirement.) The waveform need
not be a sine wave; other waveforms such as square, triangle, or sawtooth can
be used.
You can attach a wire or string to the Wave Driver directly, either by
inserting the wire or string directly into the slot on the drive post and
tying it off to a support rod, or by threading it into the hole beneath the
slot and tying it to the post itself. Other accessories can be connected to
the Wave Driver by inserting their plug directly into the hole on the end of
the drive post.
The Wave Driver is designed to sit upright, resting on the rubber “feet” on the base. It can also be mounted on a rod up to 12 mm (1/2 in) in diameter in either a vertical or horizontal position using the rod clamp. The bottom of the wave driver also includes a hole which can be used to mount the sensor upright on any 1/4-20 threaded rod. (See Figure 1.)
Operation
-
Connect the string or experimental apparatus to the drive post by either of the following methods:
a. Tie the string or wire directly to the drive post, as shown in Figure 2.
b. Insert the string or wire into the slot on top of the apparatus, as shown in Figure 3, so that it is held in place by friction. Tie the end of the wire or string to a support rod.
-
Plug the output from your function generator into the banana jacks on the front of the driver.
-
Adjust the frequency and amplitude of the function generator to produce mechanical waves with the desired frequency and amplitude. The current should not under any circumstances exceed 1.2 amperes!
Suggested Uses
Wave Demonstrators
Use the Wave Driver to drive a wave demonstrator, such as the Transverse Wave
Demonstrator (SE-9600).
Wave on a Wire or String
Use the driver to produce waves in a stretched wire or string. Determine the
resonant frequencies as a function of length, or examine the relationship
between wave velocity and the tension and mass per unit length of the string
or wire.
Chladni Plate (WA-9406)
Use the driver to vibrate sheets of metal and observe the standing wave
patterns that are formed at resonant frequencies.
Driven Harmonic Motion
Drive a mass hanging on a Longitudinal Wave Spring (WA-9401) and compare the
amplitude of the oscillations with the drive frequency. To set up this
exeriment, mount the wave driver on a rod with the drive post facing downward,
then thread a string through the hole on the drive post and tie the string to
one end of the spring. Resonant modes of coupled oscillators can be studied
using air track gliders or carts on a track coupled by springs.
Resonant Loops and Strips
Use the driver to vibrate a resonant loop to show standing waves on a wire.
You can also vibrate resonant strips to demonstrate standing waves, harmonics,
and the relationship between length,frequency, and resonance.
Troubleshooting the Driver
If at any time the Mechanical Wave Driver fails to work, follow these steps:
-
Check the fuse. If the fuse is “blown”, replace it with a similarly rated fuse: 1.0 A, 250 V. When replacing the fuse, be sure that the fuse holder is fully tightened.
med at resonant frequencies. -
If the fuse is not “blown”, check that the fuse holder is fully tightened. If it is not screwed in all the way, power may not be able to get to the unit even if the fuse is in working condition.
Specifications and accessories
Visit the product page at pasco.com/product/WA-9855 to view the specifications and explore accessories. You can also download support documents from the product page.
Technical Support
Need more help? Our knowledgeable and friendly Technical Support staff is ready to answer your questions or walk you through any issues.
Chat pasco.com
**** Phone 1-800-772-8700 x1004 (USA)
+1 916 462 8384 (outside USA)
Email support@pasco.com
Regulatory Information
Limited Warranty
For a description of the product warranty, see the Warranty and Returns page
at www.pasco.com/legal.
Copyright
This document is copyrighted with all rights reserved. Permission is granted
to nonprofit educational institutions for reproduction of any part of this
manual, providing the reproductions are used only in their laboratories and
classrooms, and are not sold for profit. Reproduction under any other
circumstances, without the written consent of PASCO scientific, is prohibited.
Trademarks
PASCO and PASCO scientific are trademarks or registered trademarks of PASCO
scientific, in the United States and in other countries. All other brands,
products, or service names are or may be trademarks or service marks of, and
are used to identify, products or services of, their respective owners. For
more information visit www.pasco.com/legal.
Product end-of-life disposal
** This electronic product is subject to disposal and recycling regulations
that vary by country and region. It is your responsibility to recycle your
electronic equipment per your local environmental laws and regulations to
ensure that it will be recycled in a manner that protects human health and the
environment. To find out where you can drop off your waste equipment for
recycling, please contact your local waste recycle or disposal service, or the
place where you purchased the product. The European Union WEEE (Waste
Electronic and Electrical Equipment) symbol on the product or its packaging
indicates that this product must not be disposed of in a standard waste
container.
CE statement**
This device has been tested and found to comply with the essential
requirements and other relevant provisions of the applicable EU Directives.
References
- PASCO scientific | Science Lab Equipment and Teacher Resources
- Wave Driver - WA-9855 - Products | PASCO
- Privacy Policies | PASCO
- Wave Driver - WA-9855 - Products | PASCO
- Privacy Policies | PASCO
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