======Slinky Waves======


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**Alternative titles:** Modeling Longitudinal and Transverse Waves with a Slinky
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  -Stretch the slinky out across a long, smooth surface, making sure not to overstretch it.  
  -Create a longitudinal wave by pushing one end of the slinky forward toward the other end.  
  -Create a transverse wave by flicking one end of the slinky to the side.
  -Encourage students to notice how the wave travels along the slinky and the difference between the two types of waves.



====Links==== 
Slinkys and Soundwaves - National Music Centre: 
{{youtube>kxQj-wPePBU?}}\\

Transverse and Longitudinal Waves with a Slinky Spring - Animated Science: 
{{youtube>E8KUQCu7UYE?}}\\

📄 Experimenting with wave properties - APS: [[https://www.aps.org/learning-resources/slinkys]]\\

====Variations====
  * Try stretching the slinky to different lengths to see how it affects wave speed.  
  * Send multiple waves at once to observe interference patterns.  
  * Use two people, one at each end, to create waves that travel toward each other.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Avoid overstretching the slinky, as it can become permanently deformed.  
  * Ensure the area is clear of obstacles to prevent tripping.  
  * Keep fingers away from getting pinched between coils.




====Questions to Consider====
  * What is the main difference between a longitudinal wave and a transverse wave? (In longitudinal waves, particles move parallel to the wave direction; in transverse waves, they move perpendicular.)  
  * How does stretching the slinky more or less change the wave behavior? (A more stretched slinky can transmit waves faster and more clearly.)  
  * Can two waves travel in opposite directions at the same time? (Yes, they can overlap and pass through each other.)