GIZMOS STUDENT EXPLORATION :WAVES - UPDATED
STUDY GUIDE
Directions: Follow the instructions to go through the simulation. Respond to the questions and
prompts in the orange boxes.
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?
It will go along with the direction of the wave.
2. The two images show side views of ocean waves. How are the two sets of waves different?
The frequency of the waves on the left is a
lot higher than the waves on the right.
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? Click Pause ( ).
Notice the
crests (high points) and troughs (low points) of the wave.
It looks like an ocean wave, going up and down.
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? 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.
,
STUDY GUIDE
Directions: Follow the instructions to go through the simulation. Respond to the questions and
prompts in the orange boxes.
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?
It will go along with the direction of the wave.
2. The two images show side views of ocean waves. How are the two sets of waves different?
The frequency of the waves on the left is a
lot higher than the waves on the right.
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? Click Pause ( ).
Notice the
crests (high points) and troughs (low points) of the wave.
It looks like an ocean wave, going up and down.
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? 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.
,
