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Intro to Waves Lab Name: Date:
Group Members:
Start-Up:
Stretch your spring out to a length of 6.1 meters (20 floor tiles, each floor tile is 0.305 meter), with
one person at each end.
Part 1: Longitudinal (compressional) Waves
With your free hand, grasp the spring about 50 cm from the end. Pull the spring straight back
towards the end of the spring, compressing the spring. Then release the spring, being careful not to
let go of the end of the spring.
1. Describe in words and drawings what you see after releasing the spring.
2. What happens to the wave when it reaches the other end of the spring?
Part 2: Transverse Waves
Move your hand very quickly and sharply to the right (about 30 cm out) and back to its original
position. (Practice until you can produce a single large pulse that travels down only one side of the
spring.)
3. Describe in words and drawings what you see after releasing the spring.
4. Describe in words and drawings what happens to the wave when it reaches the other end of the
spring.
5. Does the size of the wave change as it travels along the spring? Describe both its amplitude and
its wavelength.
Please be gentle with the springs. They are easily tangled and mangled. DO NOT overstretch
the springs; they will become permanently deformed. Return them to their plastic bag when you
are finished with the lab.
