012-09266 Physics Experiment Manual 48 Transverse & Longitudinal Waves

Demonstration of Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

(Double-length Slinky)

Waves and Sound: Transverse and longitudinal waves

Equipment List

Qty Items Part Numbers

1 Double-length Slinky SE-8760

Introduction
The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate the behavior of transverse and
longitudinal waves on a spring.
Background
Mechanical waves are waves that propagate through a material medium (solid, liquid, or gas) at a
wave speed that depends on several properties of that medium. There are two basic types of
wave motion for mechanical waves: transverse waves and longitudinal waves.
In a transverse wave, the direction of the disturbance is perpendicular to the direction that the
wave travels. Light waves are transverse waves. In a longitudinal wave, the direction of the
disturbance is parallel to the direction that the wave travels. Sound waves are longitudinal waves.
Setup
Use the floor or a long table. Have two people stretch the Slinky along the floor so the two ends
are about 3 meters apart.
Procedure
TRANSVERSE WAVE
Reflection
Hold this end.
How will a transverse wave pulse look when it reflects at the end of a Slinky? Here is a top view
of the setup.
1. Let the
person at the
right end of
Slinky hold
the spring so
it will not move.
2. Have the person at the left end shake the spring to the side one time as shown.
3. Observe the shape of the pulse after it reflects from the end that is held
Question
What is the shape of the reflected pulse? Answer the questions and make a sketch of the pulse on
the lab report.
Transverse Wave Train

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012-09266 Physics Experiment Manual 48 Transverse & Longitudinal Waves

4. Shake the left end of the spring back and forth several times and observe how the wave
moves along the spring.
5. Examine the

waveform and identify the following on the diagram in the lab report: amplitude,
wavelength, crest, and trough.
LONGITUDINAL WAVE
Reflection
1. Have the person at the left end of the spring push the end forward and then pull the end
back as shown.

Question
What is the shape of the reflected pulse relative to the original pulse? Answer on the lab report.
Longitudinal Wave Train
6. Pull the left end of the spring back and forth several times to create a train of pulses.
7. Examine the waveform and identify the following on the diagram in the lab report:

wavelength, compression, and rarefaction.

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012-09266 Physics Experiment Manual 48 Transverse & Longitudinal Waves

Lab Report: Demonstration of Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

Name: _______________________________________________________________
TRANSVERSE WAVE
Question
What is the shape of the reflected pulse? Make a sketch of the pulse.

Identify the following on the diagram of the transverse wave: amplitude, wavelength, crest, and
trough.

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012-09266 Physics Experiment Manual 48 Transverse & Longitudinal Waves

LONGITUDINAL WAVE
Question
What is the shape of the reflected pulse relative to the original pulse?

Examine the waveform and identify the following on the diagram: wavelength, compression, and
rarefaction.

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012-09266 Physics Experiment Manual 48 Transverse & Longitudinal Waves

Teacher Notes

Time Estimates Preparation: 5 min Activity: 30 min

Objectives
Students will be able to…
1. use a Slinky to examine and compare transverse and longitudinal waves on a spring.
2. identify parts of a transverse wave and a longitudinal wave.
TRANSVERSE WAVE
Question
What is the shape of the reflected pulse? Make a sketch of the pulse.
The reflected pulse is a mirror image of the original pulse.
Identify the
following on the
diagram of the
transverse wave:
amplitude,
wavelength, crest,
and trough.
wavelength
crest
amplitude

trough

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012-09266 Physics Experiment Manual 48 Transverse & Longitudinal Waves

LONGITUDINAL WAVE
Question
What is the shape of the reflected pulse relative to the original pulse?
The reflected pulse is the same as the original pulse.
wavelength
rarefaction
compression
Examine the waveform and identify the following on the diagram: wavelength, compression, and
rarefaction.

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