Slinky Pulses

Abstract

Spring is mounted to the vertical members and suspended from the top bar by thin wires or threads.
Spring is mounted to the vertical members and suspended from the top bar by thin wires or threads.

Shows reflection with inversion for transverse and reflection for longitudinal pulses.

Principles Illustrated

Reflection of transverse and longitudinal waves, standing waves, motion of the medium in longitudinal and transverse waves, wave speed.

NCEA & Science Curriculum

PHYS 2.3

Video

Right-click and save as: Longitudinal Pulse (m4v)

 

Right-click and save as: Transverse Pulse (m4v)

Instructions

A single sharp motion perpendicular to the spring axis will make a transverse pulse. Gathering together a few loops of the spring against one end and releasing makes a fairly sharp longitudinal pulse. Non-idealities such as mixing of transverse and longitudinal modes is apparent for larger amplitude waves.

Safety

Individual teachers are responsible for safety in their own classes. Even familiar demonstrations should be practised and safety-checked by individual teachers before they are used in a classroom.

Related Resources

  • Slinky Waves
  • Wave Simulator Machine
  • Wave Simulator Software

Teaching Resources

Would you like to contribute lesson suggestions? Contact us.

References

PIRA 3B20.10

Credits

This teaching resource was developed with support from

The MacDiarmid Institute
Faculty of Science, Victoria University of Wellington
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington

Copyright

Copyright and fair use statement