Names: _____________________________________________________ Date:__________

Slinky vs. Snakey Lab 20 Points

Pre-lab Questions:
Define, draw a sketch, and/or give an example for the following.

1. transverse vs. longitudinal wave

2. transmitted vs. reflected wave

3. fixed vs. free-end termination

4. phase inverted vs. upright

5. Draw a standing wave. Label loops, nodes, antinodes, amplitude and wavelength.

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Objectives:
 compare the behavior of waves in a Slinky to waves in a Snakey
 determine what factors affect a wave’s velocity, amplitude, and phase

Materials:
Slinky – large soft spring of flat wire
Snakey – heavy spring, round wire
meter stick string stopwatch masking tape

Safety:
Do not allow the snakey to snap back and hit your partner.
Hold the end of the snakey with a pencil so it will not pinch your fingers.

Procedure:
Answer all questions in full sentences. Completely fill out the data table.

1. Stretch the Slinky to a distance of approximately 5 m. Practice sending longitudinal wave and
transverse waves from one end at a time.

2. Trials 1-3: Record the distance and time it takes for a transverse wave with a small amplitude
to travel down the Slinky.

3. Trials 4-6: Repeat with a wave of large amplitude.

4. Trials 7-9: Stretch the spring to a greater length and repeat with a large amplitude wave. Be
careful not to exceed the spring’s elastic limit or it will be permanently deformed. Three
meters for the smaller Slinkies is the maximum.

5. Stretch the Snakey to a distance of approximately 5 m. Practice sending longitudinal wave

and transverse waves from one end at a time.

6. Trials 10-12: Record the distance and time it takes for a transverse wave with a small
amplitude to travel down the Slinky.

7. Trials 13-15: Repeat with a wave of large amplitude.

8. Trials 16-18: Stretch the spring to a greater length and repeat with a large amplitude wave.

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9. With the far end of the Slinky held firmly in place (fixed end termination), send a single pulse
down one side of the spring. Compare the amplitude and phase of the reflected wave to the
incident wave.
Describe what happens to a wave that is reflected from a fixed end.

10. Tie a 2 m string to the far end of the Slinky. By holding the end of the string the Slinky has
approximately a free end termination. Compare the amplitude and phase of the reflected wave
to the incident wave.
Describe what happens to a wave that is reflected from a free-end.

11. Tie the Slinky and Snakey together end to end with string. Send a wave from the Slinky to
the Snakey.
Describe the transmission and reflection of waves from Slinky to Snakey.

12. Now send a wave from the Snakey into the Slinky and describe the results.
Describe the transmission and reflection of waves from Snakey to Slinky.

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13. Hypothesize what causes the different results between Steps 11 & 12.

14. Disconnect the springs. Send pulses from each end of the Slinky simultaneously.
What happens when they cross?

15. Have one partner send a wave with an amplitude of 12 cm while the other partner sends a
wave with an amplitude of 8 cm. Attempt to knock over a paper cup sitting 15 cm from the
equilibrium position.
How can the wave knock over the cup sitting 15 cm from the equilibrium position?

16. Set up a standing wave in the Slinky.

How does the frequency of the wave compare to the frequency of your hand shaking the Slinky?

How can you change the number of loops?

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17. Vary the frequency with which you shake the Slinky.
How does the wavelength change with frequency?

18. Study the average velocities found in the Data Table.

What factors affect the velocity of the wave?

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Data / Calculations Table
Velocity Average
Description Trial Distance (m) Time (s)
(m/s) Velocity (m/s)
Slinky- small amplitude 1 **

2 **

Slinky – large amplitude 4 **

5 **

Slinky – large amplitude, **

7
longer length
8 **

Snakey - small amplitude 10 **

11 **

12

Snakey - large amplitude 13 **

14 **

15

Snakey – large amplitude, 16 **

longer length
**
17

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