Ramlegh Park Playground, Sandown Parade, Clyde North
The highlight of the playground seems to be a tower with climbing wall, metal ladder, rope net ladder, rope bridge, slide, shop front and clanger to hit against pipes. However the REAL highlight is 'Wave Upon Wave' which is physics in action.
The directions for this educational and quirky item are:
Turn the handle, or ask a friend to do it, and see what happens. What if you stop after a full circle (360 degres)? What if you increase the speed? The first impression you get is that of a strange pianola which makes same hammers move and creates various sounds according to the speed. These little disturbances that vibrate in the air, and reach our ears are interpreted by our brain as sounds: these are sound waves. When you let a stone fall on water, or rhythmically move a rope, pluck a taut elastic band, clap your hands or stamp your feet on the ground you make some vibrations/waves that sometimes are visible and some others are not.
There are different types of waves; longitudinal waves and transverse waves. They are determined by how they are transmitted. Longitudinal waves, for example sound waves, vibrate compressing and thinning out, keeping the direction of energy transfer, as occurs with a spring. Transverse waves however, consist of oscillations occurring perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer such as electromagnetic waves or ocean surface waves.
If you look again at the harmonious motion of this pianola, you will observe a transverse wave behaviour the following features:
-Wave height (the difference between the highest point or crest and the lowest One)
-Wavelength (the distance between two consecutive crests)
-Frequency of the wave (the time elapsing between two consecutive waves)
The playground also has swings, see-saw, balance beam and stepping stone trail. There are some shaded and unshaded tables and seats and a grassy area for play.
Photos:
Location
14 Sandown Parade, Clyde North 3978 Map
