a student moves the end of a compressed coiled spring up and down to demonstrate wave motion

Answer 1

When a student moves the end of a compressed coiled spring up and down to demonstrate wave motion, they are creating a mechanical wave called a transverse wave.

As the student pulls the end of the spring up and then releases it, the energy is transferred through the spring in a wave-like motion. The coils of the spring move in a perpendicular direction to the direction in which the wave is traveling. This creates crests (where the coils are at their maximum displacement) and troughs (where the coils are at their minimum displacement) in the spring.

As the wave travels through the spring, it causes adjacent coils to also move up and down, creating a wave that propagates through the entire length of the spring. This motion is similar to how waves travel through a rope when one end is shaken.

By demonstrating this motion, the student can visually represent how wave energy can be transmitted through a medium. They can also observe how the amplitude (the maximum displacement of the coils) and frequency (the number of complete waves passing a point per unit time) affects the characteristics of the wave.

This activity helps students understand the properties of a transverse wave and how it behaves in a medium like a coiled spring. It also provides a tangible example for discussing concepts such as wavelength, period, and wave speed.