How do science concepts apply to your world? Here are some questions you'll be able to answer after you read this chapter.

• Why does a wave topple over on itself when it approaches the shore?
• How does a surfer know when the next wave is coming?
• Why does a gymnast on a trampoline time her jumps to match the movement of the trampoline surface?
• How much faster is a sound wave than a car traveling on the highway?
• How can headphones reduce noise without interfering with sounds you want to hear?

How Does a Disturbance Produce Waves?

Procedure

1. Fill a clear plastic container and a dropper pipet with water.
2. Observe the surface of the water by looking down at an angle into the container. Use the dropper pipet to release a drop of water from a height of about 3 cm above the surface of the water.
3. Repeat Step 2 with a drop released from each of these heights: 10, 20, 50, and 70 cm.

Think About It

1. Observing   Which drop produced the highest waves?
2. Making Generalizations   In general, how would you expect the distance a drop falls to affect the wave it produces? Explain your answer.
3. Formulating Hypotheses   Why does the distance a drop falls affect the height of the waves it produces? Explain your answer.