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Wave Amplitude — Reading Comprehension

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NGSS 4-PS4-1

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This engaging 350-word reading passage introduces Grade 4-5 students to the concept of wave amplitude and its relationship to wave energy. Aligned with NGSS standard 4-PS4-1, the passage explains how amplitude measures the height of a wave from its rest position to the crest or trough. Students learn that waves with larger amplitude carry more energy and produce bigger effects, connecting this concept to everyday experiences like louder sounds and powerful ocean waves. The passage includes clear definitions of key terms such as amplitude, crest, trough, and rest position. Real-world applications help students understand how amplitude affects sound volume and ocean wave power. Audio integration supports diverse learners, making complex scientific concepts accessible. The passage features concrete analogies using familiar experiences and ends with an interesting fact about the world's tallest recorded ocean wave. Supplementary activities include comprehension questions, writing prompts, and graphic organizers to reinforce understanding of wave properties and energy relationships.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Amplitude is the measurement of how tall or deep a wave is from its middle resting point. When you look at a wave, imagine a flat line running through its center. This is called the rest position, and it shows where the wave would be if it wasn't moving at all. The amplitude tells us how far the wave moves up or down from this middle line.

Every wave has high points and low points. The highest point of a wave is called the crest, and the lowest point is called the trough. To measure amplitude, you find the distance from the rest position to the top of a crest or from the rest position to the bottom of a trough. Both measurements give you the same amplitude number because the wave moves equally up and down from the center.

Amplitude is important because it tells us how much energy a wave carries. Waves with larger amplitude have more energy than waves with smaller amplitude. Think of it like this: a small ripple in a puddle has tiny amplitude and barely any energy, but a big ocean wave has huge amplitude and carries enough energy to knock you over or move heavy objects on the beach.

You can see amplitude at work with sound waves too. When you whisper, your voice creates sound waves with small amplitude and low energy. When you shout, the sound waves have much larger amplitude and carry more energy to travel farther and sound louder. The bigger the amplitude of a sound wave, the louder the sound you hear.

Ocean waves show amplitude clearly. On a calm day, the waves might only be a few inches tall with small amplitude. During a storm, waves can grow to ten feet or more with very large amplitude. These storm waves carry so much energy that they can move large rocks, reshape beaches, and push boats around. Surfers look for waves with large amplitude because those waves have enough energy to carry them toward shore.

Understanding wave amplitude helps scientists and engineers in many ways. They measure sound wave amplitude to design better speakers and concert halls. They study ocean wave amplitude to predict which waves might cause damage to coastlines. By measuring amplitude, we can understand how much energy different waves carry and predict what effects they might have on the world around us.

What is the rest position of a wave?

The top of the waveThe middle line through the waveThe bottom of the waveThe energy of the wave

What is the highest point of a wave called?

TroughAmplitudeCrestRest position

How do waves with larger amplitude differ from smaller ones?

They move more slowlyThey carry more energyThey are quieterThey have less power

Why do surfers look for waves with large amplitude?

They are easier to seeThey move more slowlyThey have enough energy to carry themThey are safer to ride

What happens to sound waves when you shout?

They have smaller amplitude and less energyThey have larger amplitude and more energyThey stop moving completelyThey become quieter

How can storm waves affect a beach?

They make the sand softerThey create more rest positionsThey move rocks and reshape the beachThey reduce the water temperature

Amplitude measures only the height from rest position to crest.

TrueFalse

Which word means the lowest point of a wave?

CrestTroughAmplitudeEnergy

Perfect For:

👩‍🏫 Teachers

• Reading comprehension practice
• Auto-graded assessments
• Literacy skill development

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents

• Reading practice at home
• Comprehension improvement
• Educational reading time

🏠 Homeschoolers

• Reading curriculum support
• Independent reading practice
• Progress monitoring

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