Investigation 15A: Waves
Essential question: What is a wave and what are the properties of waves?
A wave is a traveling form of energy that carries oscillations from one place in space to another.
Sound and light are both waves and share characteristics of frequency and wavelength with familiar
water waves. This investigation will use a wave simulation to characterize the properties of
frequency, amplitude, and wavelength.
Part 1: Match a wave’s properties
1. Open the interactive simulation. You will
create a mathematical model of a wave (red
line) to match the blue waves representing
water.
2. Adjust the amplitude and wavelength of your
model to match the blue wave.
3. Run and Pause the waves. Adjust the
frequency until the red circle bobbing in your
model matches the bobbing of the floating
ball.
Questions
a. Describe how changing the amplitude changes the wave.
b. Describe the effect of changing the wavelength.
c. Describe the effect of changing the frequency.
d. What are the frequency, amplitude, and wavelength of the blue water?
e. Draw a sketch showing the amplitude and wavelength of this wave.
f. Calculate the speed of the wave. Show your work.
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