Describe an experiment to show that in wave motion, only energy is transferred, but particles of the medium do not leave their position.
Describe an experiment to show that in wave motion, only energy is transferred, but particles of the medium do not leave their position.
Take a large trough and fill it water.
Place a small cork away from the sides of the trough when the surface of the water is steady.
Now gently drop a coin at one end of the trough.
You will observe that ripples will originate from the point from where the coin is dropped and travels outward. However, the cork will move up and down but not along the ripples (outwards).
This shows that the energy is transferred in all directions throughout the medium. It is the disturbance that travels outwards and not the particles of the medium. The particles of the medium vibrate up and down and to and fro from their mean position.
Take a large trough and fill it water.
Place a small cork away from the sides of the trough when the surface of the water is steady.
Now gently drop a coin at one end of the trough.
You will observe that ripples will originate from the point from where the coin is dropped and travels outward. However, the cork will move up and down but not along the ripples (outwards).
This shows that the energy is transferred in all directions throughout the medium. It is the disturbance that travels outwards and not the particles of the medium. The particles of the medium vibrate up and down and to and fro from their mean position.
