Properties of Waves
📋 What it is
Waves have wavelength, frequency and amplitude — measurements that describe their size and speed.
🗣️ Coach says
Every wave can be measured. Wavelength is the distance between two peaks; frequency is how many waves pass per second; amplitude is the wave’s height (how strong it is). For sound, higher frequency = higher pitch, and bigger amplitude = louder.
🧠 Memory hook
Wavelength = peak-to-peak · frequency = waves per second · amplitude = height (loudness/strength).
😂 Giggle
What did one ocean wave say to the other?
"Nothing — it just waved!"
😲 Whoa!
A hummingbird’s wings beat so fast (up to 80 times a second) that the frequency itself becomes the humming sound you hear.
✅ Quick check: For a sound wave, what does a bigger amplitude mean?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
A louder sound — amplitude is the wave’s height/strength.
Amplitude sets loudness (for sound) or brightness (for light).
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Wiggle a rope: small wiggles (low amplitude) vs big wiggles (high amplitude), fast vs slow (frequency).