Polarization: Transverse vs. Longitudinal

DCS Code: 6H10.32 Last Updated: March 27, 2026
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Purpose

Uses a giant Slinky and lead brick barrier to show that transverse waves can be polarized (blocked) while longitudinal waves pass through unimpeded. Provides a mechanical analogy for how polarizing filters selectively block transverse electromagnetic oscillations.

Giant metal Slinky stretched along a green demo bench with three lead bricks forming a tunnel barrier — two bricks side by side with a third across the top
Figure 1: Giant Slinky on the demo bench with lead bricks arranged as a tunnel barrier. The gap allows longitudinal compression pulses through but blocks transverse oscillations in both horizontal and vertical directions.