Waves

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Lesson Order

  • 4-WAV-01a Wave Types and Basic Characteristics
  • 4-WAV-02a Reflection and Refraction
  • 4-WAV-02b Reflection and Refraction (and Diffraction (Single Award Only))
  • 4-WAV-03a Sound Waves and Hearing
  • 4-WAV-03b Sound Waves and Hearing (and Oscilloscopes (Single Award Only))
  • 4-WAV-04a The Electromagnetic Spectrum
  • 4-WAV-Test Revision and Test

Most lessons are common to single and dual award. Only weeks 2 and 3 have additional material for separate award to cover. This means that separate award will have more time in weeks 1, 4, 5 and 6 to reinforce more.

Suggested lessons

Week 1 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

Week 2 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.

Week 2 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

Week 3 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.

Week 3 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