1. Wave Properties

2. S8P4.f Diagram the parts of the wave and explain how the parts are affected by changes in amplitude and pitch. Affected: to change; to have an effect; to influence

3. What Does It Mean? Draw a picture of the parts of a wave, and explain how those parts change when the size of the wave changes and when the pitch of the wave changes. Go to page 150-152 of Coach for more information on “Properties of Waves.”

4. Directions Make a 6 tab foldable entitled “Wave Properties” Label the tabs as follows: (Key Words) on p. 150 of Coach book. 1. amplitude 2. wavelength 3. frequency 4. period 5. pitch 6. wave speed

5. Amplitude A measure of wave energy. Related to the distance between the crest (highest point of a wave) or the trough (lowest point of a wave) and the wave’s resting position. The larger the amplitude, the taller the wave, and the more energy it carries

7. Wavelength The distance between two successive and comparable points on a wave. What does it mean? successive consecutive; following; in a row comparable similar; equal; like

8. For a transverse wave, wavelength is the distance between two successive crests or two successive troughs. In a longitudinal wave, wavelength is measured between two successive compressions or rarefactions. Waves with longer wavelengths have less energy. Waves with shorter wavelengths have more energy.

10. Frequency The number of waves produced in a given amount of time. The word frequent means often. For a transverse wave, frequency is measured by counting the number of crests or troughs that pass by a given point in one second. Unit of measurement is the Hertz (Hz). 1 Hz = one wave per second

12. Period The number of cycles as a result of time. The amount of time it takes for a wave to complete one full cycle.

13. Pitch The highness or lowness of a sound. Determined by the frequency of a sound wave. Sounds with a low pitch produce waves with a low frequency. High frequency sound waves produce high-pitched sounds.

14. Wave Speed The speed at which a wave travels. It can be measured in two ways: 1. Time how long a wave takes to get from point A to point B. 2. Use the following formula: speed = wavelength x frequency Wave speed is affected by the medium through which it is traveling.

15. Discussion Question It was Cole’s last day of summer camp. During camp, Cole spent two weeks on a boat learning how to navigate, sail, fish, and dive. Cole was in charge of recording the properties of passing ocean waves into the ship’s logbook. What types of information would Cole report in the logbook and for what purpose?