Engineers use sound and light waves for many reasons in our society. Sonar, reading glasses, light bulbs, stereo equipment, and lasers all rely on either sound and/or light waves. Engineers must have an excellent understanding of how sound and light waves work in order to apply them to new technology. Naval engineers design ships to travel on ocean waves.

Our first activity relating to wavelength and amplitude was a game of Simon Says. In the case of Simon Says, a big amplitude and a big wavelength would mean taking very large steps while bobbing your body up and down as much as possible. A small amplitude with a medium wavelength would create a slow, stately walk like you were trying to keep a teacup on your head and not bob up and down much. Walking with a tiny wavelength and big amplitude means legs taking tiny steps while your head bobs up and down a lot. Check out the video below to watch our students play Simon Says!

Engineers use wavelengths and amplitude to quantify different types of waves. They have developed tsunami detection devices to help warn people of the approach of a tsunami, which can be very dangerous — oftentimes destroying entire coastal communities. The amplitude of an ocean wave is typically 2 to 3 meters, but an undersea earthquake can create tsunamis with amplitudes greater than 10 meters. Engineers must have a good understanding of how waves can amplify under what conditions to create technology to help prevent disaster!