Question

directions: imagine you are holding the string of a helium - filled balloon and you create a wave in that string by moving your hand side - to - side. draw the wave you would create. be sure to label the energy source on your picture.
is your wave transverse or longitudinal?
describe what happens when the wave reaches its destination (the balloon).

Explanation:

1. Wave Type: When moving the hand side - to - side on the string, the particles of the string (the medium) oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. By definition, a transverse wave is a wave in which the oscillation of the medium particles is perpendicular to the wave's direction of travel. So this wave is transverse.
2. Wave at Destination: When the wave reaches the balloon, the energy carried by the wave is transferred to the balloon. According to the law of conservation of energy and the principle of wave - object interaction, the balloon will start to oscillate (move) in the direction of the wave's oscillation (side - to - side, same as the hand's motion) as it absorbs the energy from the wave. Also, some energy might be reflected back along the string, creating a reflected wave, and some energy could be dissipated as heat due to the internal friction within the string and the interaction with the balloon.

Answer:

• Is your wave transverse or longitudinal? Transverse
• Describe what happens when the wave reaches its destination (the balloon): The wave transfers energy to the balloon, causing the balloon to oscillate (move) side - to - side. Some energy may be reflected back along the string, and some energy may be dissipated as heat.