Wave Explorer: What Does a Wave Do to a Floating Object?
Sim Lesson
Students use the Wave Explorer simulation to change the wind speed, watch a floating ball bob up and down as waves pass, and see that stronger wind makes bigger waves. Lesson Purpose Students often think a wave carries the water and floating objects forward. Watching the ball bob in place shows that waves move objects up and down without carrying them along.
Out on the ocean, a wave can look like it is racing toward shore, but a floating buoy just bobs up and down in place. What does a wave actually do to something floating on it? In this lesson, you will use the Wave Explorer simulation to raise waves with wind and watch a floating ball next to a lighthouse.
Topics and standards: Science, Ocean, Physics, Physical Science, Simulation, Waves, Grades 3-5, 4-PS4-1, Earth Systems, Water Air & Ice, TEKS Science 4.8.A, 4-PS4-1, 3.2.4.E