Observing Waves
Science: KS3, topic 3.3.3
Observing Waves
Many waves cannot be seen with the naked eye. Waves are invisible. We are able to see and study water waves.
Water waves
- Water waves are transverse waves.
- In a small pond, water waves are called ripples.
- Waves moving up and down can be described as undulations.
Tallest water wave
- The tallest water wave ever recorded happened in 1958 in Alaska.
- The wave was over 100ft tall.
Superposition
- Waves can be added together or cancel each other out.
- Adding or cancelling waves is called superposition.
- If waves superpose by adding together, they will get bigger.
- Amplitude increases.
Cancelling waves
- Waves cancel each other out if one wave's peak meets the other wave's trough.
- Cancelling happens when the waves combine.
Test yourself on Observing Waves
What word describes waves that move up and down?
Two water waves meet so that the peak of one wave lines up with the peak of the other wave. What happens to the amplitude of the combined wave?
A scientist studies water waves in a large lake rather than a small pond. Based on how the terms are used, what should these waves be called?