Wave Motion

UNIT 4 WAVES

6.P.1.1 Compare the properties of waves to the wavelike
property of energy in earthquakes, light and sound.

Lesson 4: Wave Motion

6.P.1 Understand the properties of waves and the

wavelike property of energy in earthquakes, light and

sound waves.

Properties of Waves

Trough

Crest

Rest Position

Transverse Wave Vocabulary
crest – where the displace-
ment of the medium is at a
maximum
trough – where the
displacement of the medium
is at a minimum
rest position – where the
medium shows no
disturbance

Properties of Waves

Wavelength

Wavelength

Wavelength

Wavelength
• The distance between

two corresponding
parts of a wave

• Crest-to-crest or

trough-to-trough

Properties of Waves

Amplitude
• The vertical distance

between a peak or a
valley and the resting
position in a
transverse wave

Amplitude

Amplitude

Fuse School: Wave Motion

Properties of Waves

Frequency
•

The number of complete waves (wavelengths)
that pass a given point in a certain amount of
time

•

Number of vibrations per second

•

Measured in units called hertz (Hz)

•

1 vibration per second = 1 Hz

Properties of Waves

Period
•

The time it takes for one
wave cycle to travel

•

Measured in seconds per
wave cycle

Properties of Waves

Speed
• How far the wave travels in

a unit of time, or distance
divided by time

• The speed, wavelength,

and frequency of a wave
are related to each other
by mathematical formulas.

• Unit for speed is meters

per second, or m/s

speed = wavelength x frequency

Draw

What is the frequency? (measured in Hz)

Draw

What is the frequency? (measured in Hz)

Draw

What is the frequency? (measured in Hz)

Multiple Choice

Which wave has the highest frequency?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

A wavelength is the distance between which 2 points?

• B and G

• A and C

• C and F

• A and H

Multiple Choice

These waves have the same

• amplitude

• frequency

• period 

• wavelength

Multiple Choice

Which wave in the diagram has the greatest wavelength?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

If a wave has a greater frequency, what happens to the wavelength?

• increases

• decreases

• stays the same

Multiple Choice

What is the wavelength of this wave?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

What is the amplitude of this wave?

• 2

• 3

• 6

• 10