Skip to main content

Physical Science · Waves

Waves: Amplitude, Frequency, Reflection & Absorption

Measure repeating waves, analyze amplitude-energy data, and model reflection, absorption, and transmission at material boundaries.

Lesson plan

Waves: Amplitude, Frequency, Reflection & Absorption

A step-by-step guide to help you teach this lesson.

Plan with confidence

Lesson overview

What students will learn

  • Use a standard repeating-wave representation to measure amplitude and wavelength and calculate frequency from cycles and time.
  • Use data to relate greater amplitude to greater wave energy for comparable waves.

Key science ideas

  • The rest position is the middle reference line.
  • Amplitude is measured from rest position to a crest or trough.
  • Wavelength is measured between matching points.

Lesson at a glance

  • Grade 6
  • 55 min
  • ~10 min prep
  • MS-PS4-1 · MS-PS4-2
  • 5 materials

What’s included

  • Lesson Plan
  • Investigation
  • Teacher Slides
  • Printable Worksheet
  • Teacher Answer Key
  • Interactive Activity
  • Vocabulary