3B10.25 • Transverse Pulses and Waves: Snakey

Photo shows the demonstration used at the University of Texas at Austin

Location: Cabinet 4

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Concept:

• Demonstrates how the amplitude of a transverse wave changes as it traverses from a lighter to heavier medium or vice versa.
• Demonstrates that the phase of the wave does not change across two different media.
• May also be used to observe the behavior of a transverse wave at a free vs. a fixed end.

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Instruction/Notes:

• Set the demo on the floor across the length of the lecture hall, or across two long tables of the same height. (Note that the demo is easier to see on the tables.)
• If demo is on the tables, the wood block must be fastened via c-clamp.
• If demo is on the floor, the wood block can be stepped on.
• The spring end can either lie freely or be held by an instructor/volunteer in either case.
• If the instructor would like to demonstrate wave transmission with free/free ends, the spring can lie on the floor/hang off the table.

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Note for staff:

• Ask professor if they would like demo to be performed on a tabletop or on the floor.
• If demo is performed on the ground, demo camera might be necessary for students to better observe the phenomena, and the golf club might also be needed.

Last updated on April 14, 2026