Physical Waves Part 1 (Slinky lab) ‘Waves are nature’s way of transferring energy between two points without changing the general location of particles of matter. We will first study the basic properties of all waves and the types of waves. Find a space on a smooth floor so that you and a partner can stretch a large Slinky. Do not place the Slinky under an excess of tension, and do not release the spring when it is under tension. IF YOU TANGLE THE SLINKY, YOU CLEAR IT! PROPERTIES OF WAVES: Start with a single quick flick of the wrist to create a little “blip,” or pulse that travels towards your partner. Practice this motion until the pulse created travels down only one side of the Slinky. 1, Describe the shape of the pulse you are creating: ~ WOVE out tothe Sede WWE 2. How does the shape change as it moves down the slinky towards your partner? “ME LOVES aynpli} de deorerxes NPL VEE COWOHSES 3. What is the reason for the change? ~The Wane. \OCRE HS enorey 4. What has to change about your motion to create a pulse with a LARGER amplitude? Why do you believe this is so? \ Vie —ROAET slave mounenls Vucur ow ~ More Lpbeyy needed “P Now send a series of pulses toward your partner. Observe these pulses as they travel just one time down the slinky. 5. What do you physically have to do to create a LONGER wavelength between these pulses? How does this change affect the frequency of the pulses, yu create? Slaw Your TAWEMAMS rau seoreades the Lrequy y .SPEED OF WAVES: Measure the length of the stretched Slinky. Send a pulse down one side and record the time it takes for the pulse to travel down the whole length. Repeat this for different lengths, and therefore different tensions, of the Slinky. If the wave is too quick, measure down and back to the original wave creator! Trial Length (m) Time (s) 5.35 BO. A Sore Was % Bom. Tels Ue Bom 14s Te 355 (Ud 6. Compare the speed ofthe pulse through the Slinky inthe high tension with the speed in the lower tension What difference do you se? 1g ood \S Slaw > ufalefol] 7. So if a medium that a wave is traveling through changes, how will that affect the wave? The Speed Wn which. the ware lewels TYPES OF WAVES: With the ends of the stretched Slinky held in place, pinch a few of the coils together towards you and let them go to create a pulse that travels towards your partner. 8, How do the coils of the Slinky move in relation to the direction of the wave you created? qaniter \nSpoel of wouy Weqess STTAG 9. What type of wave did you create (refer to your handouts!)? CAeeeerne "eaidudina| Ole Ce Now give a quick flick of the wrist to create a little “blip,” of pulse that travels towards your partner. Practice this motion until the pulse created travels down only one side of the Slinky. 10. How do the coils of the Slinky move in relation to the direction of the wave you creates? LP curd don 11, What type of wave did you create (refer to your handouts!)? ae 4 yoouSvecge, BREIFLY reflect on what you have learned about waves from Part | of the lab: Weck dhe longer ae elinley 18 the fester the Wwawved wet: