Chapter 11, Problem 1RQ

How do you produce a longitudinal wave on a Slinky? How do you produce a transverse wave?

To determine

The methods to produce longitudinal and transverse waves on a slinky.

Answer to Problem 1RQ

Solution:

The push and pull of a slinky creates longitudinal waves, and waving one end produces transverse waves.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Slinky is a long spring that has very low stiffness in the longitudinal and transverse directions. Longitudinal waves are the waves in which the disturbance travels along the longitudinal axis and the helix or the points on the helix vibrate along the longitudinal axis, that is, in longitudinal waves, particle motion is along the direction of the wave motion.

Transverse waves are the waves in which the points on the helix vibrate along the transverse axis, that is, particle motion is in a perpendicular direction to the direction of the wave motion.

Explanation:

Procedure to produce longitudinal waves on a slinky is,

a. Take a long slinky spring and set it to be frictionless or have very low friction.

b. Hold one end of the slinky and push and pull it along the longitudinal direction and leave it immediately.

c. The slinky will start vibrating in the longitudinal direction.

Procedure to produce transverse waves a in slinky is,

a. Take a long slinky spring and set it to be frictionless or have very low friction.

b. After this, hold the free end of the slinky and start waving that end in the transverse direction

c. The slinky will start vibrating in the transverse direction.

Pushing and pulling the slinky in the longitudinal direction will create longitudinal waves and waving one end of the slinky in the transverse direction will create transverse waves.

Conclusion:

To produce longitudinal waves, push and pull the slinky from one end, and to produce transverse waves, wave the slinky from one end.