You will need the following items: a rope about 10 to 20 meters long, a meter or yard stick, a watch that records seconds. Tie one end of the rope to a doorknob or other secure object at about waist height. Have your helper take one end of the rope and whip it up and down, while you watch. What type of wave was created? How do you know?
Estimate the wavelength of the wave produced.
Estimate the frequency of the wave produced.
This is most easily estimated by counting the number of waves that pass the measuring device within a particular time interval as measured on your watch, or by counting the number of times the hand is shaken up and down.
Compute the velocity of your wave. Lay a slinky on a table and secure one end to one edge of the table. Stretch the slinky across the length of the table and give the free end a quick push in the direction of the secured end. Answer the questions below.
A slinky photograph What type of wave was created? How do you know?
Estimate the wavelength of the wave produced.
Estimate the frequency of the wave produced.
This is most easily estimated by counting the number of waves that pass the measuring device within a particular time interval as measured on your watch, or by counting the number of times the hand is shaken up and down.
Compute the velocity of your wave