Compression Wave Demonstration

DCS Code: 3B20.20 Last Updated: March 27, 2026
Log in to reserve this demo

Purpose

Rubber-band-coupled pucks on an air track show longitudinal compression wave propagation and reflection in a discrete medium. Provides a visible analog to sound waves in air.

Three views of the air track compression wave apparatus: two wide shots showing the full track on a lecture bench with pucks and rubber bands, and a close-up of the air supply connection and support structure
Figure 1: