4-WAV-01
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Contents
Outcomes
- Pupils understand and can use the terms amplitude, frequency, wavelength and period.
- Pupils can describe the differences between longitudinal and transverse waves and give examples of each.
- Pupils recall that waves transfer energy without transferring matter.
- Pupils can use the wave equation <math>v=f \lambda</math>
Specification References
- 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.7
Starter
- Use PowerPoint slides (too large for wiki) to introduce the concept of a wave by showing pupils examples of different types of wave in which the wave nature is obvious: water, shock and "Mexican".
Main Body of Lesson
- Use wave tank to demonstrate water waves. Ask pupils what aspect of the waves could be changed. Elicit "size" and "oftenness".
- Explain "size" of waves as amplitude and ask pupils what the effect of changing amplitude would be on water waves (taller/shorter waves), shock waves (more/less damage), seismic waves (more/less damage), "Mexican" (more/less movement - e.g. seated/standing).
- Explain "oftenness" as frequency. Use online oscilloscope to demonstrate amplitude (and its link to volume) and introduce the concept of frequency with reference to sound.
- Pupils draw (idealised) diagram of wave and mark on amplitude. Elicit concept of wavelength and have pupils mark wavelength on their diagram. Explore link between frequency and wavelength.
- Use pupils to demonstrate amplitude and frequency on "slinky wave".
- In a well-behaved class pupils could be given lengths of elastic and allowed to demonstrate to themselves.
- Link use of slinky to the nature of transverse waves; and from that to the nature of longitudinal waves.
- Run through list of wave types and help pupils categorise them into transverse and longitudinal.
- Ocean
- Sound
- Shock
- Seismic (P and S)
- Light
- After discussing wave types ask pupils what waves are transferring. Link to the three important characteristics: waves are travelling disturbances (mostly in a medium), waves transfer energy, waves do not transfer energy.
Plenary
- Use this explorer to sum up and demonstrate amplitude, frequency and wavelength.
Homework
- Wave equation calculations worksheet