Year 9 Science · Unit 4 · Lesson 3

Wave Properties — Amplitude, Wavelength, Frequency

Foundation Worksheet

Name
Date
Class

Learning Goals

Match each term to its definition

Draw a line connecting each term on the left to its correct definition on the right. Or write the matching letter next to each term.

TermYour answerDefinition and unit
AmplitudeA. How fast the wave travels through a medium. Unit: metres per second (m/s).
WavelengthB. The number of complete waves passing a point per second. Unit: hertz (Hz).
FrequencyC. The maximum displacement of a particle from its equilibrium position. Unit: metres (m).
Wave speedD. The distance between two identical adjacent points on a wave (e.g. crest to crest). Unit: metres (m).
HertzE. The unit of frequency; equal to one complete cycle per second.

True or False? Fix the false ones

Circle T or F for each statement. If the statement is false, rewrite it correctly on the line below.

Amplitude is measured from the crest to the trough of a wave.

Correct it:

T
F

If two waves travel at the same speed and one has a higher frequency, it must have a shorter wavelength.

Correct it:

T
F

A tsunami is more destructive than a normal ocean wave because it has a much higher frequency.

Correct it:

T
F

Period and frequency are inversely related — doubling the frequency halves the period.

Correct it:

T
F

1. A sound wave in air has a frequency of 170 Hz. The speed of sound in air is 340 m/s. Calculate the wavelength of this sound wave. Show your working using λ = v ÷ f.

Recall 2 marks

2. Two ocean waves have the same frequency. Wave A has an amplitude of 0.5 m and Wave B has an amplitude of 1.0 m. Which wave carries more energy, and by how much? Use the relationship: energy ∝ amplitude².

Recall 2 marks

Wrap Up

In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?