Wave properties

In this activity you will use slinky springs to create standing waves. You will need at least three members in the group and a device to take pictures

Equipment:

Long slinky

Method:

• 1. Stretch the spring out over about 2 meters

  2. One person holds an end steady while another sends a continuous rhythm

  3. Continue until you achieve a standing wave

  4. Take a photo and describe the wave (how many wavelengths, amplitude?)

  5. Describe how hard/easy it is to maintain the waveform

  6. Increase the frequency of the rhythm until you achieve a different standing wave.

  7. Repeat steps 4 & 5

  8. Increase the frequency again

  9. Repeat steps 4 & 5

  10. Change over so different members of the group get a turn.

Results

Discussion

• 1. Why are they called standing waves?

  2. Is this a longitudinal or transverse wave?

  3. What happened to the energy needed to maintain the waveform as the frequency increased?

  4. How does this relate to the energy of light on the EM spectrum?