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Home Concept Builders Vibrations and Waves Rocking the Boat Directions

Rocking the Boat - Directions

Using the Rocking the Boat Concept Builder is quite simple. You will be presented with a problem associated with two boats anchored in the harbor rocking up and down as the waves enter the harbor. The following information will be given in each problem: the distance between the boats, the location of the boats with respect to crests and troughs within the wave pattern, the distance from the highest to the lowest point during a vibrational cycle, and the number of complete vibrational cycles per some interval of time. From the given information, you must determine the following about the waves: the wavelength, the frequency, the period, the amplitude, and the speed. Use a careful reading of the problem statement and an understanding of the meaning of these wave properties in order to determine the answers.

The first thing you will have to do is determine the orientation of the boats with respect to the crests and the troughs of the wave. There is a diagram with one boat fixed upon the first crest. You will have to determine where the second boat is located. Tap on the diagram to toggle through the seven choices. Determine your choice and then tap on the Check Diagram button. You have three chances to get the answer correct.

Once you have correctly determined the diagram, you will then need to determine the numerical values. There are answer fields for each of the five quantities that you must calculate. Tap on the field and a numerical entry keypad pops up. Tap on the numbers in the keypad to enter your answer. If you error, then press the Backspace key or the Clear (C) key. Once you are satisfied with your entered answer, you can (1) tap on the Enter key, (2) tap on the Tap to Close button, or (3) tap on the answer field for a different quantity in order to enter an answer for that. You will always know what quantity you are editing because the answer field for that quantity is highlighted yellow and the quantity is listed just above the answer field in the number pad. Once an answer has been entered for each quantity, a Check Answer button appears. If satisfied with your answers, tap on this button. Your answers will be evaluated and feedback will be given. Any incorrect answers will be highlighted in red (or pink). You will have a second and final chance to correct these wrong answers.

Your goal is to earn "Stars" and to complete one or more levels of difficulty. Stars are earned when you show success on a particular question. Once you show success on all the questions at a particular difficulty level, you will earn the reward for that level.

Concept Builder Teacher Notes