Anatomy of a Wave

The Anatomy of a Wave Video Tutorial explains the meaning of wavelength and amplitude, discusses how to count the number of waves in a diagram of a wave pattern, and describes how to calculate the wavelength and the amplitude from a diagram. Numerous examples, illustrations, and animations assist in the explanations.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

What is wavelength and how can it be determined from a wave pattern?
What is amplitude and how can it be determined from a wave pattern?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Physics Interactives: Waves and Sound - Simple Wave Simulator
A simulation provides a phun, interactive way to explore a topic. That's what you'll find on this page. Spend some time changing variables and observing the result. Also observe the transverse (waves in a rope) and longitudinal (sound waves in air) options. After playing, check your understanding with our Concept Checker.

Concept Builder: Waves and Sound - Wavelength
This! You gotta do this one! It fits the video like a hand in a glove. Click the link. Do it. Then tell a friend.

Calculator Pad, Vibrations and Wavs, Problem Set WM4
Calculator Pad problem sets make for awesome practice. They provide problems with random numbers, an answer field, and lots of help. Enter an answer and check it; correct it if its wrong. Tap one of the Help links if you're having trouble. And learn.

Physics Classroom Tutorial: Vibrations and Waves Chapter, Lesson 2 - Anatomy of a Wave
Our written tutorial pages provide a thorough, easy-to-understand, common-sense approach to Physics topics. This particular page addresses the same topics covered in the video. As such, it makes a great reference for a quick check-up or clarification of an idea.

Teacher Resources

Curriculum Corner: Wave Motion
Try our Curriculum Corner for a Think Sheet or a whole unit of Think Sheets and get your students thinking about waves. If the video is homework; then these are awesome next day starters. This is free curriculum for the taking. And for a few extra bucks, you can obtain the source documents and purchase a license to place them and any deriviative from them on your course management pages; see the Solutions Guide.

Physics Interactives: Waves and Sound - Simple Wave Simulator
This is a very popular simulation and one worth using with your classes. It comes with a classroom-ready student activity sheet. And don't forget the Concept Checker as a follow-up. Between our video, our simulations, and you're usual engaging labs, you're going to have some awesome lesson plans.

Concept Builder: Waves and Sound - Wavelength
This Concept Builder and the video are like hand and glove. They fit so well and one was made for the other. It would make a great complement to a lesson plan.

Calculator Pad, Vibrations and Wavs, Problem Set WM4
Calculator Pad problem sets make for awesome practice. They provide problems with random numbers, an answer field, and lots of help. Students enter an answer and check it. They can correct it if its wrong. This set of problems focuses on relating the length of the medium to the wavelength of the wave and the provided wave pattern.

Lesson Notes

Download (opens in a new tab) or view below

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.