Question

multiple choice 7.14 points
zhang throws a small rock and a big rock into a lake and notices the different waves that form on the waters surface. the big rock made taller waves but the distance between the waves was the same as the little rocks. what did an increase in the size of the rock change about the wave?
it made the amplitude bigger but did not change the wavelength.
it made the wavelength shorter but did not change the amplitude.
it made the amplitude smaller but did not change the wavelength.
it made the wavelength longer but did not change the amplitude.

Explanation:

When a rock is thrown into water, the size of the rock affects the amplitude of the waves. A bigger rock transfers more energy to the water, creating taller (larger - amplitude) waves. However, the wavelength of the waves (the distance between consecutive wave crests or troughs) is mainly determined by the properties of the medium (water) and the frequency of the wave - generating disturbance (in this case, the act of throwing the rock, which can be considered to have a relatively constant frequency for a given throwing action). So, an increase in the size of the rock (which is related to the energy input) changes the amplitude but not the wavelength.

Answer:

It made the amplitude bigger but did not change the wavelength.