Ronnel Fernandez
4th period
10/23/08
Table #: 2
“SLINKY”
LAB#: 5
Purpose: 1) to demonstrate the behavior of transverse and longitudinal waves on a
spring.
2) to see compression and rarefaction in longitudinal and transverse
wave
3) to see how energy relates/work with the slinky
4) to find out how slinky relates to waves
5) to understand wavelength, amplitude, frequency, rarefaction, compression,
transverse, longitudinal, and other parts of waves
Apparati:
Equipment
slinky
Digi cam/iphone
Meter stick
comp
Number
1
1
1
1
Equipment
Number
Theory: How do you relate a slinky with frequency, wavelength, amplitude,
compression, rarefaction, transverse, and longitudinal waves.
Pictures:
PIX AT FLICKR : )
http://www.flickr.com/photos/31571143@N02/?saved=1
Procedure:
1)
Job Title
Recorder
Chief Scientist
Messenger
Who did it?
Ronnel Fernandez
Katrinne Vitug
Arvin Cabanas
2) Transverse waves:
A. Let the person at the right end of Slinky hold the spring so it will not move.
B. Have the person at the left end shake the spring to the side one time as shown.
C. Observe the shape of the pulse after it reflects from the end that is held
D. Shake the left end of the spring back and forth several times and observe how the
wave moves along the spring.
E. Examine the waveform and identify the following on the diagram in the lab report:
amplitude, wavelength, crest, and trough.
3) Longitudinal waves:
A. Have the person at the left end of the spring push the end forward and then pull the
end back as shown.
B. Pull the left end of the spring back and forth several times to create a train of
pulses.
C. Examine the waveform and identify the following on the diagram in the lab report:
wavelength, compression, and rarefaction.
Data Table/FACTS:

















When string is attached the frequency is increased.
If hand movements are farther it makes bigger amplitude, smaller the hand
movement the smaller the amplitude.
Your hand is your experimental. Controlled is the slinky
Energy
Makes rarefaction when compression goes one way then coming back it makes
rarefaction.
When both ends are exerted the more compression. The wavelength are the same
if pushed together the same time.
When transverse waves are made more compression.
When string is used more evident is the wave.
The wavelength of the compressions are the same
If slinky is closer together wavelength is smaller
How far can the slinky go? 400 meters
Compression is closer together if slinky is closer together.
When string is used when slinky is smaller there is more compression and less
rarefaction.
If the slinky is 1 meter it only constructs 2 cycles of waves (slow)
If the slinky is 1 meter it constructs about 4 cycles of waves (fast)
The higher the amplitude the more energy it takes to move your hand left and
right when you do this the transverse waves show more compression and
rarefaction.
More precise if string is attached wider wavelength
Title:
Independent Variable
Hand
String
Dependent Variable
Slinky
Analysis: Questions:
1) What is the shape of the reflected pulse?
Answer: A wave going up and down
2) What is the shape of the reflected pulse relative to the original
pulse?
Answer: Straight Line
3)
Wavelength is located where the long H is.
Trough is located at the bottom blue arrow.
Crest is located at the top blue arrow.
Amplitude is located at the red arrow.
Conclusions:
1) Results: The data indicated shows that ENERGY is a big factor in waves.
Frequency is what makes more compression and rarefaction. In a transverse wave
the bigger the energy the higher the amplitude. CHECK DATA
TABLE/FACTS…
2) Purpose: We didn’t exactly finish all purposes…we got some down like seeing
the compression and rarefactions. But we missed out on getting the wavelength
and the amplitude and computing the frequency.
3) Error Analysis: When we got to our stations, I noticed that other tables had
strings…and we were the only one without one. So I noticed I wasn’t on top of
that. Before lab day we didn’t even assign who’s going do what so that took up
time in starting. Then when we did start we didn’t exactly read the directions on
the template you gave us we just did our own thing out of order.
4) Knowledge: I took pictures and put them on FLICKR. I took charge in being
confident for my group to feel comfortable to do this lab. Confidence is the best
answer.