Wave Machine (Longitudinal and Transverse Waves) – Let’s Explore the Difference Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

　Mass Ratio of the Medium in the Right Half 　　Reset 　　Slow
　　　　　　　　　　　

Description :

This is a page for observing longitudinal and transverse waves with a wave machine.
    In this wave machine (for longitudinal and transverse waves), the object at the left end can be moved freely in both the longitudinal and transverse directions within the plane by hand. (Only the leftmost object can be moved.)
    Now, try moving the leftmost object slowly to the left and right (←→). Through the springs, this motion is transmitted to the next object, causing it to move left and right as well. A wave in which the direction of propagation is parallel to the motion of the medium’s particles is called a longitudinal wave. In a longitudinal wave, you can see that regions where the objects are close together (compressions) and regions where they are farther apart (rarefactions) move along the medium.
    When you move the object at the left end up and down (↑↓), the wave propagates while the particles of the medium move perpendicularly to the direction of wave travel. Such a wave is called a transverse wave. Now, try generating and observing longitudinal waves, transverse waves, and waves that contain a mixture of both.
    The object at the right end is fixed to a much more massive block, and we assume that gravity, friction, and any resistive forces do not act on the system. You can also change the masses of the objects in the right half of the medium using the slider. Try observing how the wave speed changes depending on the medium, as well as the reflections that occur at the boundary between different media.

● You can adjust the masses of the objects in the right half of the medium using the “Mass Ratio” slider.
● You can return to the initial state using the “Reset” button.
● By checking the “Slow” checkbox, you can slow down the motion to make it easier to observe.

Copyright 2022 KATO, Noriyoshi