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?

Before the wave the buoy will sit level with the water. As the

wave passes through the buoy, it will rise until reaching a

high point. Then as the wave leaves the buoy will fall until

returning to level.

2. The two images show side views of ocean waves. How are the two sets of waves

different?

Both the frequency and wavelength are

different. The first wave is of a higher

frequency as it is repeating more rapidly.

It also has a shorter distance between

crests, showing a shorter wavelength..

Gizmo Warm-Up

Ocean swells are an example of waves. In the

Waves GizmoTM

, 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.)