Re: A wave or not a wave ?

[Ludwik Kowalski <KowalskiL@MAIL.MONTCLAIR.EDU>]

Criticizing the standard experiment on standing waves
John D. wrote:

> If I were doing it, I would
>   a) Lose the vibrator.
>   b) Replace it with a motorized wheel with a quill to
>      pluck the string.
>   c) Minimize reflections by making the string much longer
>      than 2m and then if necessary attaching dampers (e.g.
>      pom-poms) near the far end.

a) Who "loos the vibrator"? Arn't you replacing it whith a
   wheel?
b) What are "pom-poms"?

Did somebody do the experiment in that way? If so then be
specific. What kind of motorized wheeel? What kind of string?
How long was it? What did you expect students to measure?
Sounds like a good experiment; better that the water tank
(because the runing wave is one-dimensional).
Ludwik Kowalski