Tutorial details

Section I: Pulses on a spring

In this section, students consider a pulse on a spring generated by a hand. They determine the speed at which the pulse moves and explore how increasing the tension in the spring affects the speed and shape of the pulse. In Question D, they determine the changes that could be made to the experiment in order to create a narrower pulse.

Section II: Behavior of pulses at a boundary

Students are shown a time sequence of photographs that illustrates the behavior of two springs joined end-to-end when a pulse reaches the boundary between them. They then compare the wave speeds, tensions, and linear mass densities of the springs. Lastly, they explore the behavior of the pulse as it approaches the boundary from the opposite end of the spring.

Section III: A model for reflection at a boundary

Students they are led to recognize that the relative linear mass densities of two connected springs (or the relative wave speeds) can be used to determine whether the reflection at the boundary behaves more like that from a fixed end or from a free end.

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Prerequisite tutorials

The Superposition of pulses tutorial is a prerequisite to Reflection and transmission of pulses.

Other prerequisites

This tutorial builds on the tutorial Superposition and reflection of pulses. Students must be familiar with the relationship between the wave speed, the tension in the spring, and the linear mass density of the spring.

Equipment

List

• tutorial instructor slides
• tutorial student slides or worksheet

Discussion