Measuring Waves
Essential Standard 6.P.1: Understand the properties of waves and the
wavelike property of energy in earthquakes, light and sound.
Clarifying Objective 6.P.1.1: Compare the properties of waves to the wavelike
properties of energy in earthquakes, light and sound.
Learning Objective: Identify crests and troughs, and measure
amplitudes and wavelengths of transverse waves.
Mini-Lesson #5 (independent):
Complete the following statements with terms from the word bank.
1. Tsunamis are usually caused by _____________ on the ocean floor.
2. The highest point of a wave is called its ______________.
3. An ocean wave is an example of a _______________ wave.
Word Bank
Earthquakes
Longitudinal
Crest
Transverse
Trough
Engage (whole class):
Demonstration of how to measure wavelength, amplitude and frequency of
waves.
Active Learning (independent):
Complete Measuring Waves Activity on Haiku. You will need to open the
Waves Worksheet to see the graphs, and then put your answers in the
blanks of the assessment.
Reflection (independent):
If you haven’t already, be sure you have downloaded the Waves Vocabulary
List and completed:
1. wave
5. trough
2. transverse wave
6. amplitude
3. longitudinal wave
7. wavelength
4. crest
Homework: None!
Name________________________________________ Core _________ Date _______
Wave Measurement Worksheet
The origin of the wave is the line where
it would be at rest.
The crest is the highest point of the wave.
The trough is the lowest point of the wave.
The wavelength of a wave can be measured from one crest to the next crest or from one
trough to the next trough.
The amplitude of a wave can be measured from the origin to the crest or from the origin
to the trough.
The frequency is how many waves there are in a certain amount of time. (Each of the
following sequences of waves occurs in 1 second so the unit is the Hertz.)
In each of the following, the gridlines are 1 cm apart so that a ruler is not necessary.
Wave 1
a) wavelength _______cm
b) amplitude ______ cm
c) frequency _______ Hz
b) amplitude ______ cm
c) frequency _______ Hz
b) amplitude ______ cm
c) frequency _______ Hz
b) amplitude ______ cm
c) frequency _______ Hz
Wave 2
a) wavelength _______cm
Wave 3
a) wavelength _______cm
Wave 4
a) wavelength _______cm
Wave 5
a) wavelength _______cm
b) amplitude ______ cm
c) frequency _______ Hz
b) amplitude ______ cm
c) frequency _______ Hz
b) amplitude ______ cm
c) frequency _______ Hz
b) amplitude ______ cm
c) frequency ______ Hz
Wave 6
a) wavelength _______cm
Wave 7
a) wavelength _______cm
Wave 8
a) wavelength _______cm