This lab sheet goes with the online “Wave Lab” at www.abernathyscience.com
The answers should be written on a piece of notebook paper, not on this paper.
1. Copy the definition of a wave from the webpage.
Describing waves
2. Click on the crests & troughs picture and draw the diagram.
Go to the frequency animation, and play around with it.
3. Use what you see to write your own definition of frequency, which can include diagrams.
Go to the amplitude and wavelength animation, and play around with it.
4. Use what you see to write your own definition of amplitude, which can include diagrams.
5. Use what you see to write your own definition of wavelength which can include diagrams.
Types of Waves
Go to the wave motion page, and watch the animations of longitudinal (compressional) and transverse
waves.
6. Using a complete sentence, list one thing that is similar between compressional (a.k.a. longitudinal) and
transverse waves.
7. Using a complete sentence, list one difference between compressional (a.k.a. longitudinal) and
transverse waves.
Go to the red dot page, and use it to answer # 8 and #10. Notice that you can click between transverse and
longitudinal.
8. Draw the diagram from the webpage.
Start the animation for the transverse wave. Carefully watch the red dot.
To the diagram you already drew, add a short line with arrows on both sides that shows the movement of
the red dot (like
or
).
9. Copy the definition for transverse waves, including the diagram.
10. Draw the diagram from the webpage.
Start the animation for the longitudinal wave (you have to click the button to change it). Carefully watch
the red dot.
To the diagram you already drew, add a short line with arrows on both sides that shows the movement of
the red dot (like
or
).
11. Copy the definition for compressional waves, including the diagram.
Go the the earthquake wave website, and play the animations.
12. Answer in a complete sentence: What type of wave is a P-wave (transverse or compressional)?
13. Answer in a complete sentence: What type of wave is an S-wave (transverse or compressional)?
Wave Labs
Go to the Science page on the Anteater Team page and click on the Science Page. Click on
the second link under the heading of Waves Lab. Do the Glencoe lab. Fill in the data table
and answer the questions below on a piece of notebook paper. Use complete sentences. The
directions for the lab are located on the side of the diagram.
Plunger Speed
Plunger Size
Amplitude
(cm)
Wavelength
(cm)
Frequency
(waves per
second)
How does the size of the ball on the plunger affect the amplitude of the waves?
What affect, if any, does increasing the speed of the plunger have on the frequency of the wave?
What affect, if any, does increasing the speed of the plunger have on the wavelength of the wave?
What is the relationship between the wavelength and the frequency of a wave?
What affect, if any does frequency have on the amplitude of a wave?
What is the relationship between the amplitude of a wave and amount of disturbance in the water?
When you finish this lab, move on to the next lab from Mrs. Abernathy. www.abernathyscience.com