Teaching Notes

When the students make pulses with the Slinky, encourage them to snap the Slinky back and forth sharply to make the most narrow pulses possible. After the students have seen Slinky pulses, ask how they could have made “The Wave” pulse more narrow (by snapping the spring more sharply). In Step 8, if students predict a large distance for cup phone transmission, you can cut one long piece of string and have one group try it while the rest of the class observes.

Try to keep the groups as far apart as possible so they can stay out of each other’s way. Tell the students to be especially careful to avoid tangling the Slinkies of different groups and also to avoid tying one Slinky in a knot.