Goals:
1. To understand the motion of waves, as well as the specific parts of a wave, such as crest, trough, wave height, and wavelength.
2. Understand and describe what variables affect wave height and strength.
3. Demonstrate comprehension by labeling parts of a wave, watching a wave in motion, and doing an experiment that focuses on the variables that affect wave height.
Resources:
Natchez, V. (1994). Understanding waves. http://yn.la.ca.us/cec/cecsci/cecsci.73.txt
Beaufort, Sir Francis. The Beaufort Scale. http://taiga.geog.niu.edu/nwslot/beaufort.html
Global Significant Wave Height Map. Oceanweather Inc. http://www.oceanweather.com/data/
Materials:
The following will be distributed per group: two strips of tape about three to four feet in length, ten straws, clear plastic pen, water, three-speed electric fan, metric ruler, a watch with second hand, and a piece of paper with a diagram of a wave.
Time:
90 minutes
Procedure:
In-groups of three to five students, the students will perform the following experiments.
Experiment 1
1. Students take a strip of tape with the sticky side facing up. The ends of the Students in the group should hold tape, which is sticking up.
2. The other students in the group will place straws in the middle of the tape about a half inch apart. The second strip of tape is placed on top of the straws.
3. A student must hold each end of the tape horizontally as another member of the group pushes down on one end of the straws.
4. The whole group observes and records the movement of the straws and looks for crest and troughs.
Experiment 2
1. Fill the clear plastic pan two-thirds full of water, and place an electric fan ten centimeters away at one end of the box.
2. The group will observe the height of the waves on each on the three speeds of the fan.
3. Measurements of wave heights will be taken one minute after the start of fan speed and three minutes after start of fan speed. Students will refer to Beaufort scale and Global Significant Wave Height maps to calculate wind speed and wave height.
4. The group will use a metric ruler to measure the height of the waves after the one minute and three minute intervals. Students must design a table to chart their recordings for wind speed and wave height.
5. Each group will report their information and record their findings on the chalkboard. The whole class will then discuss variables that affect wave height, such as force and duration of wind.
Assessment:
1. One short page of written questions and answers will be given to assess the students on their understanding of the motion of waves, as well as specific parts to a wave. The descriptions to what variables affect wave height and length. Comprehension in labeling wave parts waves in motion, and variables that affect wave motion will be assessed in this short written quiz. Criteria for success will fall between 85 to 90 percent correct on their quiz results.
Curricular Strands and Major Concepts:
1. Language Arts- writing skills in answering critical thinking questions about wave parts, motion of waves, and variables that affect wave motion.
2. Math- determining measurements of wave height at the end of different time intervals.
3. Science- discovering and determining variables which affect wave motion, and height.
4. Social Studies- discussion on how wind speed or force and wave height might have effected the slave ships during the slave trade
Possible Extensions