Air Track
rod with a chain of springs and particles

 

Code Number: 3B20.20

Demo Title: Waves - Air Track or Rod

Condition: Good

Principle: Longitudinal Waves and Standing Waves

Area of Study: Oscillations & Acoustics

Equipment: 

Air track, multiple cars, leaf style springs, rod with a chain of springs and particles.

Procedure:

Place cars of the same mass on the air track and connect them with the same size leaf springs.  Connect one end to the end of the air track if desired.  Pulses started at one end should travel slowly through the system to the other end in a very visible fashion.  

The rod with the particles that are connected by springs is essentially the same as the air track setup in a more convenient form.  Pulses started at one end of the chain can be seen to travel to the other end and back.  Tension can be adjusted on this apparatus by bringing the ends closer together or farther apart.

References:

  • Norris W. Preyer, "The Coupled Harmonic Oscillator", TPT, Vol. 34, # 1, Jan. 1996, p. 52.
  • L. Philip Howland, "Demonstrations Of Waves On An Air Track", AJP, 33, # 4, April 1965, p. 269.