How much energy does a wave actually carry? Predict, test, gather data, build a model, then figure out how much amplitude is enough to get real work done.
📋 MA STE StandardsMS-PS4-1MS-PS4-2SEP: Analyzing DataSEP: Using MathCCC: Energy & MatterCCC: Scale & Proportion
Before You Begin
Read this first, then investigate
This is a four-phase investigation into how a wave's amplitude affects the energy it delivers. Complete each phase in order, each one builds on the last.
What is this investigation about?
You will discover how a wave's amplitude (the height of its crest) controls the energy it delivers. Bigger amplitude = more energy, but the relationship is not what most people guess.
Why does this matter?
Amplitude is what makes a sound loud, an earthquake destructive, an ocean wave powerful, and a light bright. The same rule applies to every kind of wave.
What will I actually do?
You will explore a wave, run amplitude trials and record data, hit energy targets, and finally build a model that explains your data: using your own evidence.
How do I move through it?
Each phase unlocks automatically when you complete the one before it. You must answer a short checkpoint question to advance. Need a refresher? Revisit Nature of Waves first.
Your progress has been restored.
① Wave Explorer
② Amplitude Lab
③ Energy Targets
④ Wave Model
⑤ Quiz
Phase 1
Wave Explorer
Get familiar with a wave. Drag the sliders to change its shape, then click on the wave to identify its parts. Finally, predict how amplitude affects energy, you will test your prediction with real data later.
Click all 3 wave parts on the canvas, then make a prediction. The checkpoint question will appear.
Click the labeled parts directly on the wave above to identify them. Find all 3 parts to unlock your prediction.
CrestAmplitudeWavelength
Your Prediction
Before you collect any data: if you doubled the amplitude of an ocean wave, what would happen to the energy it delivers?
Prediction saved, we will revisit it after you collect data.
Checkpoint · Phase 1
Answer correctly to unlock Phase 2, Amplitude Lab, where you'll collect real data.
Which measurement describes a wave's amplitude?
Phase 2
Amplitude Lab
Time to collect data. Choose an amplitude, then click Run Trial. The detector on the right will measure how much energy the wave delivered. Run at least 6 trials across different amplitudes.
Collect 6+ trials across 5+ different amplitudes. The checkpoint question will appear once your data is ready to analyze.
Trial Data
Trial
Amplitude (what you changed)
Energy Detected (what you measured)
No trials yet, choose an amplitude and click Run Trial.
Trials0 / 6
Distinct amplitudes0 / 5
Rangetest a low and a high
Ready to analyze
Observation Prompt
Start with an extreme, try amplitude 1 or 8 first. Extremes reveal patterns fastest.
Checkpoint · Phase 2
Answer correctly to unlock Phase 3, Energy Targets, where you'll put your data to work.
Look at your data. As amplitude increases, what happens to the energy delivered?
Phase 3
Energy Targets
Now apply what your data showed. Each target needs a minimum amount of energy to activate. Use your Phase 2 data as evidence, pick the smallest amplitude you think will do the job, then send the wave.
Activate all 3 targets. The checkpoint question will appear once each one has received enough energy.
♪
Ring a Bell
Needs ≥ 5 J
Inactive
✿
Spin a Wheel
Needs ≥ 20 J
Inactive
▲
Lift a Weight
Needs ≥ 45 J
Inactive
Checkpoint · Phase 3
Answer correctly to unlock Phase 4, Wave Energy Model, where you'll build a model from your data.
Why does doubling the amplitude do more than double the work the wave can do?
Phase 4
Build the Wave Energy Model
Your data is now plotted below. Toggle the two model curves to see which one actually fits, then write a short Claim · Evidence · Reasoning explanation defending your choice.
Pick a model (Linear or Squared), then write your Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning. The final checkpoint will appear once all four are complete.
Click a point to see its trial details. Toggle Show as Ratios to compare every trial to your lowest-amplitude trial.
Analyze Your Data, Compare Trial Pairs
Which model fits your data?
Claim
In one sentence: which model describes the amplitude-energy relationship?
HintDid your data look like a straight line, or did it curve upward faster than amplitude grew?
0 / 25 minimum
Evidence
Point to specific numbers from your trial data that support your claim.
HintRun more trials in Phase 2 first, your evidence will be stronger with real numbers to cite.
0 / 30 minimum
Reasoning
Explain why this pattern makes sense, what does it tell you about how waves carry energy?
HintAmplitude is how far the wave displaces matter. A bigger wave has to push farther AND with more force. Connect those two ideas.
0 / 30 minimum
Your Phase 1 prediction:
Checkpoint · Phase 4
Last checkpoint, answer correctly to finish the investigation and choose how to wrap up.
Two waves are identical in every way except amplitude. Wave B has three times the amplitude of Wave A. About how much more energy does Wave B carry?
Next Step
Choose Your Mode
You've finished the investigation. Pick how you want to wrap up: Practice Mode if you're exploring on your own, or Classroom Mode if your teacher assigned this.
Practice Mode shows the quiz so you can self-check, nothing will be sent to your teacher.Classroom Mode adds a submission panel so your work is sent to your teacher.
Phase 5
Check Your Understanding
You explored a wave, ran amplitude trials, hit energy targets, and built a model. Answer these 5 questions, then click Score My Quiz. In Classroom Mode, fill in your name and teacher below to submit your work. In Practice Mode, scoring the quiz is the finish line, nothing is sent.
0 / 5 answered
Submit Your WorkClassroom Mode
Complete the quiz and fill in all fields to submit.