Name: Period: Date:
Student Exploration: Waves
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
...
Name: Period: Date:
Student Exploration: Waves
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 probably move side to side.
2. The two images show side views of ocean waves. How are the two sets of waves different?
The first wave has a higher amplitude than the second wave.The second wave however has greater wavelength than the first one.
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.
1. Click Play ( ). How would you describe the motion of a transverse wave?
The transverse wave has an average or slightly high amplitude. As the hand moves up and down the wave either goes above its original place or goes back to its original place.
Click Pause ( ). Notice the crests (high points) and troughs (low points) of the wave.
2. 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? Instead of the hand
moving up and down, it goes side to side. That causes the wave to move side to side as well. Also, there are moments where the waves are closer together, and then there are moments where they are farther apart. It’s like a ripple, but sideways.
Click Pause. Notice the compressions in the wave where the coils of the spring model are close together and the rarefactions where the coils are spread apart.
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