Worksheet

The Motion Harbor Wave Model

Compare wave height and spacing in a children's museum exhibit, then use test evidence to model how waves move an object.

Grade 4ScienceInteractive · Printable

Aligned to4-PS4-1

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What’s included

Single worksheet
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1 NGSS standard
Printable answer key
15 questions
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Details

Format: Interactive · Printable
Grade: Grade 4
Subject: Science
Question types: Fill in the blank, Multiple choice, Circle the answer, Sorting, Short answer, Drawing

About this worksheet

What students practice

Students model waves by comparing their height and the spacing between neighboring crests.
Students use test results to explain how waves can make an object move.
Students evaluate wave models and predictions using evidence from an investigation.

How to use

Read the Motion Harbor test notes together and discuss how the models show height and spacing. Then have students use the evidence to judge the exhibit.

Curriculum

NGSS standard covered

4-PS4-1

Model waves to describe patterns in their height and spacing and that waves can make objects move.

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The Motion Harbor Wave Model

Use wave models and test results to judge a museum exhibit design.

Read the wave test

Read the museum team's notes. Use the models and test results to answer the questions.

The Motion Harbor Exhibit

The Children's Museum planned a Motion Harbor exhibit. Visitors would move one end of an elastic cord to send repeating waves toward a light ring resting on the cord. The team measured wave height from the resting level up to a crest. They measured crest spacing from one crest to the next crest along the cord. A model showed the cord's pattern, but it did not show the ring's motion unless the team added that information.

The team made three wave models. In Model A, the resting level was 5 units. Crests reached 8 units, troughs reached 2 units, and neighboring crests were 8 centimeters apart. In Model B, the resting level was 5 units. Crests reached 9 units, troughs reached 1 unit, and neighboring crests were 8 centimeters apart. In Model C, the resting level was 5 units. Crests reached 8 units, troughs reached 2 units, and neighboring crests were 4 centimeters apart.

The team then tested the cord and ring. Test P used the pattern of Model A. The ring moved up and down 6 centimeters and moved 1 centimeter sideways. Test Q used the pattern of Model B. The ring moved up and down 8 centimeters and moved 1 centimeter sideways. Test R used the pattern of Model C. The ring moved up and down 6 centimeters and moved 1 centimeter sideways. In Test S, the cord was held still instead of sending waves. The ring moved 0 centimeters up and down and 0 centimeters sideways.

The team kept the same cord and ring for the tests. They measured the ring from its lowest position to its highest position for the up-and-down distance. They wanted a model that showed both the repeating wave pattern and the way the ring moved as waves passed.

How does Model B compare with Model A?

A. It has taller crests and the same crest spacing.
B. It has shorter crests and closer crest spacing.
C. It has the same height and wider crest spacing.
D. It has closer crests and a lower resting level.

In Model A, how many units above the resting level is each crest? units

In Model C, how many centimeters apart are neighboring crests? centimeters

Which pair of tests best compares the effect of changing wave height while keeping crest spacing the same?

A. Tests P and R, because their heights match.
B. Tests Q and R, because their spacing is different.
C. Tests P and Q, because their spacing matches.
D. Tests R and S, because both rings moved sideways.

Select the TWO statements supported by the three wave models.

Models A and B have the same crest spacing.Model C has taller crests than Model A.Models A and C have the same wave height.Model B has crests 4 centimeters apart.The resting level in Model C is 8 units.

Which test had the greatest up-and-down movement of the ring?

A. Test P, with 6 centimeters
B. Test Q, with 8 centimeters
C. Test R, with 6 centimeters
D. Test S, with 0 centimeters

How much greater was the ring's up-and-down movement in Test Q than in Test P? centimeters

Which comparison gives the clearest evidence that the waves made the ring move?

A. Test P used a ring, while Test S used the same ring.
B. Test Q had taller crests, while Test R had closer crests.
C. The cord was elastic, while the ring was light.
D. The ring moved in Test P but moved 0 centimeters in Test S.

Judge the exhibit model

Use the test evidence to evaluate claims and make a wave model.

Sort each statement by whether it is direct evidence that waves moved the ring.

The ring moved up and down 6 centimeters while waves traveled along the cord.The cord was made from elastic material.The ring moved 0 centimeters when the cord was held still.The exhibit was planned for a museum gallery.

Direct evidence	Not direct evidence

10.

For these tests, what happened when crest spacing changed from 8 centimeters to 4 centimeters while the wave height stayed the same?

A. The ring's up-and-down movement rose to 8 centimeters.
B. The ring's up-and-down movement stayed at 6 centimeters.
C. The ring stopped moving because the crests were closer.
D. The ring moved 1 centimeter less from side to side.

11.

A visitor labels Model A's wave height as 6 units because the crest is at 8 and the trough is at 2. Which correction is right?

A. The wave height is 8 units because the crest reaches 8.
B. The wave height is 5 units because the resting level is 5.
C. The wave height is 3 units because the crest is 3 units above rest.
D. The wave height is 2 units because the trough reaches 2.

12.

Draw a model for a new wave pattern. Use a resting level of 5 units. Make each crest 4 units above the resting level and place neighboring crests 6 centimeters apart. Show at least two crests and one trough. Label the crest spacing.

13.

The team wants to test whether closer crest spacing affects the ring's movement while wave height stays the same. Which comparison is fairest?

A. Compare Test P with Test Q, changing wave height.
B. Compare Test Q with Test S, changing the cord motion and spacing.
C. Compare Test P with Test R, changing spacing while height matches.
D. Compare Test R with Test S, changing the ring and the spacing.

14.

Make a claim about how wave height affected the ring's up-and-down movement in Tests P and Q. Support your claim with both test measurements.

15.

The exhibit model shows a repeating wave but leaves out the ring. Explain what should be added to the model so it represents how the wave affected the ring. Use evidence from at least two tests.