Making Waves
Making Waves shows how two different waves behave - transverse and
longitudinal waves.
Do - Think - Learn
Pull or push the black knob and watch a wave travel back and forth.
What happens to the spring inside?
Twist the red knob slightly, let go and watch.
What happens?
The Science Bit
Sound waves are linear or longitudinal waves. The energy is passed onto the
next particle by vibrations. The spring moves slightly backwards and forwards
as the energy travels down the spring. This is what happens to particles as
energy is past down a wave. Examples of longitudinal waves are sound, ultra
sound and earthquakes.Transverse and torsional waves are represented by
the rods with the red balls on the end. The movement in this type of wave is at
right angle to the direction that the energy is travelling in the wave.
Curriculum Links
Changing sounds

That vibrations from sound sources travel through different materials to
the ear

To make careful observations to identify the types of material through
which sound can travel

That some materials are effective in preventing vibrations from sound
sources reaching the ear

That sounds are made when objects or materials vibrate

That sounds can be made by air vibrating