Goals

1. Understand what waves may do and where they get their energy from.
2. Be able to use the Internet as a resource to find information on waves.

Resources
Danielson et al. Earth Science. Macmillian Publishing Co.: New York, 1989.

Materials
rope
diagram of a wave

Time
2 Hours

Procedure

1. Discuss where the energy of a wave comes from: earthquakes, ships, the moon and the sun's gravitational pull, and
   wind.
2. Handout the diagram of a water wave. Discuss the components of a wave: crest, trough, wave length.
3. Class demonstration: have two students volunteer to hold one end of the rope. Each person will move the rope up
   and down. Have the students pay attention to the "waves" formed by the students movements. The more energy
   they exert, the bigger the wave.
4. Discuss long waves and how they differ from short waves.
5. Discuss what a Tsunamis is and what causes it. Then discuss the damage this wave can do. The most damage is
   done when the wave reaches shore. Ask the students what survival techniques they would recommend. (People
   around the Pacific have a warning network set up; they move to higher ground).
6. Have the students search the Internet for stories (historical or fictional), the benefits of waves, and/or survival
   techniques.

Major Concepts

1. Science - Terminology on waves
2. Language arts - Stories and or articles found on the internet
3. Social studies - Survival techniques (psychology)

Assessment

1. Have the students turn in their findings on the Internet. Criteria for success: findings must be in the topic of waves
   and must contain one of the following: story on waves, the benefits of waves, ways to survive dangerous waves.

Extensions
1. Make up a lab exercise using water to demonstrate waves.

Go To Part 7: Currents

Go Back to Understanding Weather Conditions on the Seas

Submitted By St. Norbert College Ocean Voyagers Program