Hey there! Today, Squeaks and I are excited to share what we learned about waves while sorting seashells from Squeaks’ beach trip. Have you ever wondered where those seashells come from? Well, they are often brought to the shore by waves!
Waves are the up and down movements we see in water. The top part of a wave is called the crest, and the bottom is the trough. Interestingly, the water itself doesn’t move forward with the wave; it moves up and down as the wave travels through it. If you’ve ever floated in water, you might have noticed that you bob up and down with the waves instead of moving straight to the shore.
Waves can form in oceans, lakes, and ponds. One of the main reasons waves happen is because of the wind. When the wind blows over the water’s surface, it pulls on the water and creates waves. The size of the waves depends on how strong the wind is and how long it blows. So, strong winds can make really big waves!
Did you know the Moon also helps create waves? The Moon’s gravity pulls on Earth, including the ocean. This pull causes the water to move, leading to high and low tides. High tide is when the water is closer to the shore, and low tide is when the water moves away, revealing parts of the beach that are usually underwater.
Sometimes, waves can get really big, like tsunamis. Tsunamis are huge waves caused by events like underwater earthquakes or volcanoes. They can be as tall as two fire trucks stacked on top of each other! Tsunamis are very dangerous and can cause a lot of damage, so it’s important to stay safe and away from the beach if one is coming.
After high tide or a big storm, you might find interesting objects washed up on the beach, just like Squeaks did. Have you ever found something cool at the beach or played in the waves? Waves are amazing and powerful, and maybe next time, we can even learn to surf and ride them!
Thanks for learning about waves with us! If you have any questions, feel free to ask a grown-up to help you reach out to us. We hope you enjoyed this adventure with Squeaks and me!
Wave in a Bottle: Create your own wave in a bottle to see how waves move! Fill a clear plastic bottle halfway with water. Add a few drops of blue food coloring and a small amount of oil. Seal the bottle tightly and tilt it back and forth. Watch how the water and oil create waves. Can you see the crest and trough? Try shaking the bottle gently and then more vigorously to see how the waves change. Discuss with a friend or family member how this is similar to waves in the ocean.
Windy Waves Experiment: Use a shallow pan or tray filled with water to explore how wind creates waves. Use a straw to blow gently across the surface of the water and observe the waves you create. Try blowing harder or softer and see how the waves change. Can you make big waves like a strong wind would? Talk about how the wind you create with your breath is like the wind that makes waves in the ocean.
Moon and Tides Observation: With the help of an adult, look up the tide schedule for a nearby beach or body of water. If possible, visit the location during both high tide and low tide. Observe and discuss the differences you see. What parts of the beach are covered with water at high tide? What do you see at low tide that you couldn’t see before? Draw a picture of what you observe at each tide and share your findings with your class or family.
