Manual Wave Machine

The Manual Wave Machine is a chain of wooden double-ended pendulums joined together by a bifilar thread that allows for the demonstration of propagation, reflection, diffraction and superimposition of transverse waves. Two handles allow the chain to be held by hand and excited and this interactive design makes the device ideal for student investigation.

Experimental Topics

The following experiments can performed using this hand held device:

• Propagation of a moving wave
• Wavelength, frequency and phase velocity
• Reflection of waves at fixed or moving ends
• Standing waves and resonance in the case of fixed or moving ends
• Constructive and destructive reinforcement of waves
• Propagation and speed of communication for a disturbance of equilibrium
• Reflection of a disturbance of equilibrium at fixed or moving ends
• Damping of moving waves

Specifications

• Number of double pendulums: 79
• Length: 3m
• Weight: approx. 0.8kg