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During this Unit
This unit focuses on the characteristics and behaviors of waves. Students will explore the characteristics of transverse and longitudinal waves, which include wavelength, amplitude, crest, trough, frequency, and period. Students will investigate the behaviors of waves as they encounter a change, which include reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, and absorption. Students will explore the characteristics and behaviors of waves using real world examples including acoustic, seismic, light, and ocean waves.
Misconceptions:
Students may think you can see and hear a distinct event at the same moment, rather than sound waves traveling slower than light waves.
Students may think sounds can travel through empty space (a vacuum), rather than sound requiring a medium through which to travel.
Students may think sounds cannot travel through liquids and solids, rather than different media only altering the behavior of the waves.
Key Content Vocabulary:
Amplitude – total distance a wave moves from its resting position
Compression – where the wave pushes the matter closer together
Crest – highest point of a wave
Diffraction – bending of a wave through an opening or around the edge of an object
Frequency – the number of times a wave passes a certain point in a given amount of time
Interference – when two or more waves arrive at the same point and occupy the same space
Longitudinal wave – oscillations (vibrations of the wave) are in the same direction as the wave (slinky, sound waves)
Mechanical wave – energy that travels through matter (e.g., sound, ocean waves, and earthquake waves)
Oscillation – vibration or movement of waves
Period – the time needed for one complete cycle of vibration to pass a given point
Rarefaction – where the wave pushes matter farther apart
Refraction – bending of a wave as it crosses the boundary between one medium and another
Transverse wave – oscillations (vibrations of the wave) are perpendicular to direction of the waves (string, water)
Trough – lowest point of a wave
Related Vocabulary:
Doppler effect
Echolocation
Electromagnetic wave
Gamma ray
Hertz
Infrared
Microscope
Microwaves
P Waves
Propagation
Radio
Reflection
S Waves
Sonar
Superimpose
Superposition
Telescope
Ultrasound
Ultraviolet
Velocity
Visible light
Wavelength
X-ray
https://www.teksresourcesystem.net/module/content/search/item/693406/viewdetail.ashx
Perez Physics Sound, Light, Mirrors & Lenses, and Electromagnetic Spectrum