• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
  • Science Experiments For Kids
  • Science Fair Projects
  • Preschool Science
  • Science Facts
  • Printable Experiments
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Science Questions
  • Contact Me
Science Experiments for Kids
Menu
  • STEM Challenges
  • Early Years Science
    • Preschool Science
    • Sensory and Messy Play
    • Understanding of the World
    • Pirate Science Experiments
  • Primary Science
    • Baking Soda Experiments
    • Candy Experiments
    • Biology for Kids
    • Climate Change for Kids
    • Coding for Kids
    • Chemistry for kids
    • Electricity for Kids
    • Magic Science Experiments
    • Harry Potter Experiments
    • Human Body Science
    • Air Pressure Experiments
    • Life Cycles
    • LEGO Science Experiments
    • Kitchen Science
    • Famous Scientists
    • Forces and Motion
    • Science Sparks Snippets
    • Key Stage 1 Science
      • Animals
      • Everyday Materials
      • Plants
      • Coding Activities
      • Humans and Health
      • Fine Motor skills
      • Science and Literacy
    • Key Stage 2 Science
      • Animals, Including Humans
      • Electricity
      • Light
      • Plants
      • Materials and their Properties
  • Key Stage 3
  • Holiday Science
    • Christmas Science
    • Halloween Science
    • Easter Science
  • Storybook Themed Science Experiments
  • Wonderful Women in STEM
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE Experiments
  • Science for Kids
    • Kitchen Science
    • Climate Change
    • Egg Experiments
    • Fairy Tale Science
    • Edible Science
    • Human Health
    • Chemistry
    • Inspirational Women
    • Forces and Motion
  • Science Fair Projects
  • STEM Challenges
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Contact Science Sparks
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Mini Wave Machine

    Mini Wave Machine

    March 23, 2022 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    This mini wave machine is a great way to demonstrate the concept of a wave! It’s easy to make, looks great and can be used over and over again!

    What is a wave?

    When you imagine a wave do you think of rolling waves in the sea? Radio waves or sound waves flying through the air? Or light travelling from the sun?

    Waves are all around us all the time.

    Waves transfer energy and information without the transfer of matter.

    Waves can be transverse or longitudinal. This mini wave model is a great demonstration of a transverse wave.

    Make a Mini Wave Machine

    A block of wood around 30cm long

    2 screws

    Drill or screwdriver

    String

    Toothpicks

    Tape

    Jelly tots or other small sweet

    Instructions

    Carefully drill a screw into the wood at each end. Ask an adult to help.

    Tie string as tightly as you can around each screw so you make two parallel lines with the string.

    Transverse wave model 1 - image of a block of wood, with two screws and string between them

    Place a strip of tape underneath the string.

    Add toothpicks at regular intervals along the tape and secure with more tape over the top.

    Place jelly tots or other small sweets on the ends of the toothpicks.

    mini transverse wave model made with tape, toothpicks and jelly tots

    Push down on one jelly tot and watch as the ripple travels to the end of the model and back.

    toothpick transversewave model

    This wave model shows a transverse wave.

    What is a transverse wave?

    Transverse waves have vibrations perpendicular to the direction of travel of the wave.

    Another way to show this movement is to wiggle a spring or a slinky up and down.

    All electromagnetic waves are transverse waves.

    What is a longitudinal wave?

    In a longitudinal wave the vibrations are parallel to the direction of travel, they squish up and the stretch out again.

    Longitudinal waves can also be demonstrated using a spring if you push one end and watch the ripple!

    Examples of longitudinal waves are sound waves

    diagram of longitudinal and transverse waves

    Things to note – wave model

    The disturbance of the toothpicks travels from one end of the model to the other end and back, but the toothpicks and jelly tots themselves do not move along the string. When waves travel through a medium such as air, the air particles vibrate and transfer energy but stay in the same place like the jelly tots.

    Increase the amplitude of the wave by pushing the first toothpick down further.

    Increase the speed of the wave by taking the jelly tots off, and slow it down by adding heavier sweets!

    Last Updated on March 24, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

    « What is Matter?
    What is an acid? »

    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    What are you looking for?

    JOIN US!

    Get new experiments straight into your inbox every week!!

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    .

    Copyright © 2022 Science Experiments for Kids on the Foodie Pro Theme