A rock is dropped from a height of 2 meters into a freshwater pond. How would I change the amplitude of this wave?

To understand how the amplitude of the wave changes when a rock is dropped into a freshwater pond, let's break it down step by step:

1. Understanding Waves: When an object, such as a rock, is dropped into a pond, it creates ripples on the water's surface. These ripples are a form of a transverse wave - a wave that oscillates perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

2. Analyzing Amplitude: In a transverse wave, amplitude refers to the maximum displacement or height of the wave from the equilibrium position. In simpler terms, it represents the distance between the highest point (crest) and the lowest point (trough) of a wave.

3. Relationship between the Drop Height and Amplitude: The amplitude of the wave created by an object dropped into the water depends on the amount of energy transferred to the water. In this case, the drop height of the rock, which is 2 meters, affects the amplitude.

- Higher Drop Height: If the rock is dropped from a higher height, it will have more gravitational potential energy. As it falls and hits the water surface with more force, it will create larger ripples, resulting in a wave with a higher amplitude.

- Lower Drop Height: Conversely, if the rock is dropped from a lower height, it will have less gravitational potential energy. The impact on the water's surface will be less forceful, creating smaller ripples and a wave with a lower amplitude.

4. Changing the Amplitude: To change the amplitude of the wave created by dropping a rock into a freshwater pond, you would need to adjust the drop height. Decreasing the drop height would decrease the amplitude, while increasing the drop height would increase the amplitude.

In summary, the amplitude of the wave created by dropping a rock into a freshwater pond depends on the drop height. Higher drop height results in a larger amplitude, while lower drop height leads to a smaller amplitude.