Optional Practical: Standing waves in a slinky
In this experiment a transverse standing wave will be set up in a length of slinky spring and its time period measured with a stop watch. If we treat the spring as a thick string then the velocity of the wave is given by v = (FT/μ)½ Where FT is the tension and μ the mass per unit length. We also know that v=fλ So; fλ=(FT/μ)½ For the 1st harmonic the wavelength = 2 x length The spacing of the coils in the slinky is...