4/22/96

Equipment:

long thin spring --several meters

long wide spring (Slinky) --several meters

smooth floor

(stopwatch)

Procedure/Analysis:

Answer the following by experimenting with springs on a smooth floor. Work with at least 4 meters of spring as you make your observations.

For each of the following, first fully describe your method of investigation and then your results and conclusions.

1. How does the position of a point on the spring vary as a transverse pulse passes through the thin spring? How does the position of this point before the pulse comes through compare to after?

2. How does the position of a point on the spring vary as a longitudinal pulse passes through the wide spring? How does the position of this point before the pulse comes through compare to after?

3. Does the shape or speed of a transverse pulse change as it travels along the thin spring? How? Why?

4. What happens to a transverse pulse as it reflects from the stationary end of the spring? Address shape and orientation. Be very specific and include sequential sketches.

5. Does the speed of a transverse pulse traveling along a spring depend on:

a. spring tension? How?

b. size of the pulse? How?

6. If two transverse pulses of equal size meet while traveling in opposite directions and on the same side of the spring, what happens? Address before, during, and after overlap. Include sequential sketches. Can you be sure of your observations? Explain why?

7. If two transverse pulses of equal size meet while traveling in opposite directions and on opposite sides of the spring, what happens? ? Address before, during, and after overlap. Include sequential sketches. Can you be sure of your observations? Explain why?