Student Exploration: Waves
Vocabulary: amplitude, compression, crest, frequency, linear mass density, longitudinal wave,
medium, period, power, rarefaction, transverse wave, trough, wave, wavelength, wave speed
Prior
...
Student Exploration: Waves
Vocabulary: amplitude, compression, crest, frequency, linear mass density, longitudinal wave,
medium, period, power, rarefaction, transverse wave, trough, wave, wavelength, wave speed
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. A buoy is anchored to the ocean floor. A large wave approaches
the buoy. How will the buoy move as the wave goes by?
The buoy will be moving down and up as the wave goes by.
2. The two images show side views of ocean waves. How are the two sets of waves different?
The two images are different in
frequency, wavelength, and
amplitude; so, in the first image it
has higher frequency and amplitude
with shorter wavelength while the
second image it has lower frequency
and amplitude with longer
wavelength
Gizmo Warm-up
Ocean swells are an example of waves. In the Waves Gizmo,
you will observe wave motion on a model of a spring. The hand
can move the spring up and down or back and forth.
To begin, check that the Type of wave is Transverse, Amplitude is 20.0 cm, Frequency is
0.75 Hz, Tension is 3.0 N, and Density is 1.0 kg/m. (Note: In this Gizmo, “density” refers to the
linear mass density, or mass per unit length. It is measured in units of kilograms per meter.)
1. Click Play ( ). How would you describe the motion of a transverse wave? A wave that
2. disturbs the particles in the medium perpendicular to the direction of wave’s travel
3. Click Pause ( ). Notice the crests (high points) and troughs (low points) of the wave.
4. Click Reset ( ). Choose the Longitudinal wave and increase the Amplitude to 20.0 cm.
Click Play. How would you describe the motion of a longitudinal wave? A wave that has a
disturbance which is parallel to the direction of the wave’s travel
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