"Slinky" & the Wave
Purpose
Students investigate properties of mechanical waves using a "slinky" spring: wavelength, speed, reflection, standing waves, interference.
Good for grade levels 6 through 12.
Discussion
In the "Slinky" & the Wave Lab, students observe fundamental wave behaviors through hands-on experimentation with a slinky. The lab explores both transverse and longitudinal waves, as well as wave interactions such as interference, reflection, and wave transmission between different mediums. Through the activities, students gain a deeper understanding of wave mechanics and how energy moves through different types of waves. These principles have broad applications in fields like acoustics, engineering, and even medical imaging technologies, making this lab an essential step in understanding wave mechanics.
Required Equipment
Acknowledgements: Thank you to Dwight "Buzz" Putnam for his assistance in developing this lab. Buzz is a 25 year veteran physics teacher at Whitesboro High School, New York Science Teacher of the Year and Host of the Regents Physics Answers television show on PBS. You can also find him refereeing high school basketball games as well as presenting at the NSTA National Conferences.
