Rope Wave Energy Lab

Send a wave along the rope and watch what happens near the pinwheel. When the wave lifts the rope beneath the paddle, the rope pushes the paddle and turns the pinwheel.

60
190
Adjust the sliders, then send one wave or start continuous waves.
Pinwheel motion
No motion
Rope
Ribbon fixed to one place
Pinwheel target

Track the Matter

Do any of the ribbons travel all the way to the pinwheel?

How does each ribbon move when the wave reaches it?

Track the Energy

What happens when the rising rope touches the paddle?

How does increasing amplitude affect the pinwheel’s motion?

Key idea: The rope does not travel from one end to the other. Each part moves around its own position. When the wave reaches the paddle, the rope rises, pushes the paddle, and transfers energy to the turning pinwheel.