Waves

Lesson Order

• 4-WAV-01 Waves Basics (inc. Terminology)
• 4-WAV-02 Reflection, Refraction and Diffraction
• 4-WAV-03 Sound Waves and Hearing
• 4-WAV-03-SA Sound Waves and Oscilloscopes (SA only)
• 4-WAV-04 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
• 4-WAV-05 Heat Transfer
• 4-WAV-06 Insulation

Lesson Order v2

• 4-WAV-01a
• 4-WAV-02a Reflection, Refraction and Diffraction
• 4-WAV-03a Sound Waves and Hearing
• 4-WAV-03b Sound Waves and Oscilloscopes (SA only)
• 4-WAV-04a
• 4-WAV-05a
• 4-WAV-06a

Double lesson (SS and DA)

• 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

Double lesson (SS and DA)

• Pupils can state and use the Law of Reflection. Simple reflection experiment.
• Pupils can explain refraction as due to a change of speed in different media.
• Pupils can predict the change in direction of a wave due to refraction, including examples using light (including dispersion) and in water, using wave front to explain what is occurring.

Single lesson (SS)

• Pupils can explain diffraction as the spreading of a wave around an object.
• Pupils can sketch different diffraction effects where λ << a; λ = a; λ >> a

Double lesson (SS and DA)

• Pupils can recall the hearing range of a human and determine whether a frequency lies within the range.
• Pupils understand that any sound wave with a frequency greater than 20kHz is known as ultrasound.
• Pupils can recall different uses of ultrasound and can explain the idea of ultrasound scanning using an echo.
• Pupils can describe how to measure the speed of sound using a clapping method and an electronic method.

Single lesson (SS)

• Pupils understand how an oscilloscope and microphone can be used to display a sound wave.
• Pupils can read an oscilloscope trace to determine the time period and frequency of a sound wave.
• Pupils understand how the volume and pitch affect the amplitude and frequency of a sound wave.

Topics Covered

• Longitudinal and transverse waves
• The electromagnetic spectrum
• Sound waves and hearing