POWELL'S WAVE MACHINE CAT NO. PH0710 Instruction Manual GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Wave Motion Machine is a high quality instrument designed to demonstrate the fundamentals of transverse wave motion. A scale placed behind the handle divides the rotary motion into degrees of rotational angle so that the relationship or 'phase' between the rotary and the vertical motions may be studied. In general, a wave is a disturbance in a medium. It is important to point out that waves do not transfer mass, but only energy. A transverse wave is characterized by the wave propagation being perpendicular to the vibration of the medium. For example, if a transverse wave propagates left to right, the medium may vibrate up and down. The particle shown below located within the previously mentioned medium will first move down and then up as the wave propagates. A wave on a guitar string and light waves are examples of transverse waves. Transverse wave The diagram below shows how progressing around a circle corresponds to the cycle of a wave. If the wave cycle begins at the red (0°), each additional color represents how much out of phase that position is with the initial red position. -1- The phase difference between any two points in the cycle can be found be taking the difference between their corresponding angles. The phase difference between waves is important when determining how waves interact with one another. 90° 180° 0° 270° Wave Phase OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS The handle, which is at one end of the machine, is rotated to cause a series of cams of rotate. These cams cause a set of vertical rods to rise and fall sequentially as the cams rotate beneath them. Their motion follows that of a sine wave since their vertical motion is caused by the circular rotary motion of each cam. -2- Manufactured by : U.S. Distributor : Eisco Scientiļ¬c www.eiscolabs.com 788 Old Dutch Road, Victor, NY 14564 Website : www.eiscolabs.com EISCO SCIENTIFIC instructions, content and design is intellectual property of EISCO
