Traveling Waves

Shive Wave Machine

[M | t | ★★★★]
Rods attached to metal spine; transverse wave generator shows the reflection of waves free, fixed, terminated and transition boundaries.

[In-Depth Description]

Wooden Dowel Wave Machine

[XL | t | ★★★★]
Large (20 feet long) Shive wave machine that can clearly show the reflection and transmission of a pulse at the boundary of fast and slow media.

[In-Depth Description]

Ripple Tank Wave Phenomena

[L | t+ | —]
Interference patterns of water waves generated by different sources at adjustable frequency.

[In-Depth Description]

Slinkys, Springs and Rope

[M/L | t+ | —]
Generate your own transverse and longitudinal waves; pulse reflections from free and fixed ends are possible.

Slinky Wave Cradle

[L | t | ★★★]
Longitudinal wave demo with suspended slinky.

[In-Depth Description]

Russian Wave Machine

[M | t | —]
Hand cranked transverse wave model.

Wave in a Tank

[M | t | —]
A two-fluid model shows the slow propagation of shallow water waves.

Group/Phase Velocity

[M | t+ | —]
The group velocity of two harmonic waves can be shown (on an oscilloscope) to be less than or greater than the individual phase velocities.

Contact Us

Mailing Address: Lecture Demonstration Services, Science Center, Rm B-08A, 1 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Campus Location: Science Center B-08A | Tel: (617) 495-5824 | Email: scidemos-at-fas.harvard.edu