WAVES GIZMO ASSIGNMENT
,Name: zzz Date:
Student Exploration: Waves
Vocabulary: amplitude, compression, crest, frequency, linear mass density,
longitudinal wave, medium, period, power, rarefaction, transverse wave, trough,
wave, wavelength, wave speed
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?
A buoy will move down and up as the wave goes by.
2. The two images show side views of ocean waves. How are the two sets of waves different?
A)The first wave is a longitudinal
wave and the other one is a
transverse wave. Also in the
second one the distance is
separated more.
Gizmo Warm-up
Ocean swells are an example of waves. In the Waves
Gizmo, 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.)
1. Click Play ( ). How would you describe the motion of a transverse wave?
A) The wave moves left to right while the hand moves up and down.
Click Pause ( ). Notice the crests (high points) and troughs (low points) of the wave.
2. Click Reset ( ). Choose the Longitudinal wave and increase the Amplitude to 20.0 cm.
Click Play. How would you describe the motion of a longitudinal wave?
, A) In this wave the hand is moving from left to right as well as the wave
Click Pause. Notice the compressions in the wave where the coils of the spring
model are close together and the rarefactions where the coils are spread apart.
2019
,Name: zzz Date:
Student Exploration: Waves
Vocabulary: amplitude, compression, crest, frequency, linear mass density,
longitudinal wave, medium, period, power, rarefaction, transverse wave, trough,
wave, wavelength, wave speed
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?
A buoy will move down and up as the wave goes by.
2. The two images show side views of ocean waves. How are the two sets of waves different?
A)The first wave is a longitudinal
wave and the other one is a
transverse wave. Also in the
second one the distance is
separated more.
Gizmo Warm-up
Ocean swells are an example of waves. In the Waves
Gizmo, 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.)
1. Click Play ( ). How would you describe the motion of a transverse wave?
A) The wave moves left to right while the hand moves up and down.
Click Pause ( ). Notice the crests (high points) and troughs (low points) of the wave.
2. Click Reset ( ). Choose the Longitudinal wave and increase the Amplitude to 20.0 cm.
Click Play. How would you describe the motion of a longitudinal wave?
, A) In this wave the hand is moving from left to right as well as the wave
Click Pause. Notice the compressions in the wave where the coils of the spring
model are close together and the rarefactions where the coils are spread apart.
2019
