Reflection of Transverse Pulses on a Slinky: Observational Experiment

Aim

Observe what happens to a pulse when it is reflected.

Prior Knowledge

Description of the Experiment

A person sends a pulse on a slinky. It reaches the end which is held by another person.

Youtube movies can be stepped frame by frame using the , and . keys on your keyboard. If you want to download the movie to your computer, right-click or control-click HERE.

Youtube movies can be stepped frame by frame using the , and . keys on your keyboard. If you want to download the movie to your computer, right-click or control-click HERE.

Questions

• Describe what you see in both videos.
• Compare and contrast your observations.
• Explain why the reflected pulse in the second video had a smaller magnitude than in the first.
• Formulate a rule relating the direction of the reflected pusle to the densities of the two media.