Wave Measurements

Wave Measurements

​Parts of a Wave

​Wave Measurements

Wave amplitude- distance that particles travel from resting
Transverse- middle of wave to crest or trough
Longitudinal wave- determined by closeness of particles in the compression portion of the wave

​Amplitude

Waves with more energy have a larger amplitude
Think about wave height in a lake on a mildly windy day versus a very windy day

Dropdown

2. What property of a wave is represented by letter B?

Select answer

Multiple Choice

The highest part of the wave is called the _______________.

• Amplitude

• Wavelength

• Trough

• Crest

Multiple Choice

• Frequency
• Amplitude
• Wavelength
• Trough

Wavelength

Distance between two corresponding points on waves
Usually measured in meters
Related to the amount of energy in a wave

Wavelength

Short-wavelength waves have more energy than long-wavelength waves of the SAME AMPLITUDE

Open Ended

What has a longer wavelength, visible light or gamma rays? Explain.

​Wave Frequency

The number of waves that passes a specific point in a given amount of time is frequency
Higher amount of waves = higher frequency
Unit for frequency is hertz

​Wave Frequency

Wave length and frequency are inversely related
As the distance between waves increases, the number of waves that pass a point decreases
High frequency waves= shorter wavelengths
Low frequency waves= longer wavelengths

​Wave Frequency

Multiple Choice

If a wave has a large wavelength, predict whether it will have a high or low frequency.

• High frequency

• Low frequency

​Wave Speed

Wave speed is distance wave traves in a given amount of time
Speed = wavelength X wave frequency
Measured in hertz (Hz)

Multiple Choice

If a wave has a high speed, high frequency, predict whether it would have a large or short wavelength.

• large wavelength

• short wavelength

​Wave Speed

When dealing with mechanical waves, the medium they travel through matters
The closeness of particles and their ability to move determines how waves move through them
Think about sounds you hear underwater versus when you are above water