Amplitude, Wavelength & Wave Energy
Aligned to MS-PS4-1 — Next Generation Science Standards.
What this lesson teaches
A wave can be described by its amplitude (its height) and its wavelength (the distance between crests). A larger amplitude carries more energy, while wavelength sets how the wave is spaced.
Worked example
A gently plucked guitar string makes a quiet sound with a small amplitude, but plucking it harder raises the amplitude and the sound gets louder, because the wave now carries more energy.
Practice questions
- Measure the amplitude and the wavelength on a diagram of a transverse wave.
- Compare two waves and use their amplitudes to predict which one carries more energy.
- Explain how the wave model represents a louder sound versus a softer one.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Amplitud, Longitud de Onda y Energía
Una onda se puede describir por su amplitud (su altura) y su longitud de onda (la distancia entre crestas). Una amplitud mayor lleva más energía, mientras que la longitud de onda determina cómo está espaciada la onda.
Ejemplo: Una cuerda de guitarra pulsada suavemente hace un sonido bajo con poca amplitud, pero pulsarla con más fuerza aumenta la amplitud y el sonido se vuelve más fuerte, porque la onda ahora lleva más energía.
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