Slinky Science Experiments
We are the Mathematics of Waves and Materials research group, University of Manchester and we LOVE slinkies. We use them to explore waves and sound in fun ways. Try a few of our favourite experiments! Watch the videos below and Open the Slinky Science Online Experiment Guide or Download the Slinky Science Experiment Booklet to find out what to do.
Slinky Science Online Experiment Guide
Slinky Science Experiment Booklet
Expt 1: Mini-Slinky Staircase Challenge- What do you do if your mini-slinky is too small to walk down your stairs? You build it a smaller staircase!
Expt 2: Slo-Mo Slinky Drop- Can you guess what will happen if you drop a slinky? Slow motion footage of a falling slinky shows very curious behaviour!
Expt 3: Mini-Slinky Waves- Slinkies of all sizes are brilliant for making waves! Watch our mini-slinky waves and then have a go yourself.
Expt 4: Sci-Fi Slinky Sounds- When is a slinky not a slinky? When it is a laser-blaster! Well OK, we can’t really turn a slinky into a sci-fi blaster, but we can make it sound like one! (requires a metal slinky)
Share your creations with us @GlasgowSciFest using #ScienceOnTheSofa and tag @MWMmaths
More about us:
We use Applied Mathematics alongside ideas from Materials Science, Chemistry, Engineering and Physics to model and test the properties of materials and waves. Examples of our research include understanding and reducing engine noise; modelling what happens when we stretch our tendons; and designing special materials with properties that are not found in nature.
Expt 1: Mini-Slinky Staircase Challenge
What do you do if your mini-slinky is too small to walk down your stairs? You build it a smaller staircase!
Expt 2: Slo-Mo Slinky Drop
Can you guess what will happen if you drop a slinky?
Expt 3: Mini-slinky Waves
Slinkies of all sizes are brilliant for making waves!
Expt 4: Sci-Fi Slinky Sounds
When is a slinky not a slinky? When it is a laser-blaster!