Learning Outcomes for Waves and Sound

 

Lesson Plans || Learning Outcomes and Activities || Teacher Notes || Labs
 


The list below displays sample learning objectives for the unit on Waves and Sound. The various activities from the Lesson Plans have been organized by objective. This format of organizing The Physics Classroom's activities may be more useful to some teachers than the Lesson Plan format. It is worth noting that the activities identified below only include those activities included on the Lesson Plans and in the Pre-Built Task Tracker courses. Additional activities are referenced on the Teacher Notes page.


 

1. Vibrations

Recognize the distinction between a vibration and a wave; define and identify the units of frequency and period; calculate the frequency and the period from given information.
 

Reading:



Video:

Labs:
Lab 1: A Wiggle in Time


Concept Builders:



 

2. The Nature and Categories of a Wave

Describe the nature of a wave as repeating and periodic disturbance that moves through a medium by particle-to-particle interaction to transport energy from the vibrating source to distant locations; describe various contrasting categories of waves - such as longitudinal and transverse - using words and diagrams.
 

Reading:

Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Vibrations and Waves: Lesson 1, Parts a, b, and c


Video:

Labs:
Lab 2 - A Wiggle in Time and Space


Think Sheets:

Concept Builders:

Minds On Physics:
Mission WM1 on Nature and Categories of Waves



 

3. Properties of Waves

Describe (in words, and with diagrams and/or equations) wave properties such as amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period, and speed; identify the units of each and determine their values if provided sufficient information.
 

Reading:



Video:

Think Sheets:

Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers:

Concept Builders:

Minds On Physics:
Mission WM2 on Wave Characteristics


CalcPad Problem Sets:
Waves and Sound 1: Wave Properties




 

4. Wave Speed

Identify the variables that affect and do not affect the speed of a wave in a given medium; calculate the wave speed from distance-time information or from wavelength-frequency information.
 

Reading:



Video:

Labs:
Lab 3 - Speed of a WaveLab 3 - Speed of a Wave


Think Sheets:

Concept Builders:

Minds On Physics:
Mission WM3 on Speed of a Wave


CalcPad Problem Sets:
Waves and Sound 1: Wave Properties




 

5. Behaviors of Waves

Use words and diagrams to describe a variety of wave behaviors such as reflection/transmission at a boundary and interference.
 

Reading:



Video:

Think Sheets:

Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers:

Concept Builders:

Minds On Physics:
Mission WM5 on Boundary Behavior of Waves

Mission WM6 on Interference of Waves




 

6. Standing Wave Patterns and Harmonics

Discuss how a standing wave pattern is formed; describe and diagram the standing wave pattern for the first five harmonics; related the frequencies and wavelengths of the various harmonics to the frequency and wavelength of the first harmonic.
 

Reading:



Video:

Think Sheets:

Physics Interactives with Concept Checkers:

Minds On Physics:
Mission WM7 on Standing Wave Patterns and Harmonics


CalcPad Problem Sets:
Waves and Sound 2: Standing Wave Math





 

7. Nature of a Sound Wave

Describe the nature of a sound wave as a longitudinal, pressure wave that requires a medium to propagate from the vibrating source to a distant location; identify the compressions and rarefactions in a diagram and relate these regions to the relative pressure.
 

Reading:



Video:

Science Reasoning Center:

Think Sheets:

Minds On Physics:
Mission SM1 on The Nature of a Sound Wave




 

8. Properties of Sound Waves

Describe properties of sound waves such as frequency (pitch), wavelength, speed, intensity, and the deciBel rating; perform calculations of wave speed and the deciBel rating if given sufficient information.
 

Reading:



Video:

Labs:
Lab 4: Speed of Sound


Think Sheets:

Concept Builders:

Minds On Physics:
Mission SM3 on Intensity and the Decibel Scale


CalcPad Problem Sets:
Waves and Sound 3: Sound Properties




 

9. Resonance

Explain what resonance is and the result of resonance; draw the standing wave patterns for various resonances or harmonics; relate the frequencies of the harmonics to one another.
 

Reading:



Video:

Labs:
Lab 5: Natural Frequency and Standing Waves


Think Sheets:

Minds On Physics:
Mission SM5 on Resonance and Standing Wave Patterns




 

10. Harmonics in Vibrating Strings

Construct the standing wave pattern for the first five harmonics of a resonating string; relate the frequencies and wavelengths of these harmonics to the frequency and wavelength of the fundamental; conduct a full mathematical anaysis of a resonating string.
 

Reading:



Video:

Think Sheets:

Concept Builders:

CalcPad Problem Sets:
Waves and Sound 4: Resonating Strings



 

11. Harmonics in Closed-End Air Columns

Construct the standing wave pattern for the first five harmonics of a resonating air column (closed-end); relate the frequencies and wavelengths of these harmonics to the frequency and wavelength of the fundamental; conduct a full mathematical anaysis of a closed-end, resonating air column.
 

Reading:



Video:

Labs:
Lab 6: Closed-End Air Columns


Think Sheets:

Concept Builders:

Minds On Physics:
Mission SM10 on Harmonics for Closed-End Air Columns


CalcPad Problem Sets:
Waves and Sound 5: Resonating Air Columns

Waves and Sound 6: Resonating Air Columns





 

12. Harmonics in Open-End Air Columns

Construct the standing wave pattern for the first five harmonics of a resonating air column (open-end); relate the frequencies and wavelengths of these harmonics to the frequency and wavelength of the fundamental; conduct a full mathematical anaysis of a open-end, resonating air column.
 

Reading:



Video:

Labs:
Lab 7: Open-End Air Columns


Think Sheets:

Concept Builders:

Minds On Physics:
Mission SM8 on Harmonics for Open-End Air Columns


CalcPad Problem Sets:
Waves and Sound 5: Resonating Air Columns

Waves and Sound 6: Resonating Air Columns




 

Review Activities





 

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