By the end of this unit, a successful student will be able to:
- Understand and describe the basic properties of longitudinal and transverse waves including: wavelength, period, frequency, velocity, and amplitude
- Recognize waves as a means of transporting energy
- Describe the relationship between wavelength, frequency and wave velocity (), and use it in solving problems
- Discuss the nature of electromagnetic radiation
- Describe the major regions of the EM spectrum and explain how EarthÕs atmosphere affects our ability to make astronomical observations at different wavelengths
- Describe the different ways in which a wave such as light can change its direction, including: diffraction, reflection, and refraction
- Connect those ways of light changing direction to the optics in a pinhole camera, refraction telescope, reflection telescope, and the human eye.
- Use geometric optics to predict where an image will form when given the focal length of a mirror or lens, and the object distance
- Use geometric optics to predict the magnification of an image in a simple telescope
- Describe the differences between real and virtual images
- Explain the purpose of some of the detectors used in astronomical telescopes
- Explain the advantages of reflecting telescopes for astronomical use and why very large telescopes are needed for most astronomical studies.
- Describe how EarthÕs atmosphere affects astronomy, and why space based astronomy has advantages and limits
- Discuss why it is important to make observations in different regions of the EM spectrum and how radio astronomy compares to optical astronomy
- Explain how interferometry can enhance the usefulness of astronomical observations
All assignments are due on the date listed. That is not the date they are assigned.
Date Due Day Assignment
10/7 Wed Read 3.1,3.3
Do: p. 80 R+D: 1,2,3, 11,12
10/8 Thu Read 3.2, Discovery 3-1
Do: p. 80 R+D: 4,5; T/F 1,2,3,11,12
Finish: Mechanical Waves lab
10/9 Fri Read: 5.1
Do: p. 138 R+D: 1,2,3,4; TF/MC: 1,3,11, 12
Begin: Pinhole lab
10/12 Mon Columbus Day - no school
10/13 Tues Curriculum Day - no school
10/14 Wed Read: 5.3, 5.4 (5.2 optional)
Do: p. 138 R+D: 8, 9, 10; TF/MC: 4, 5,6,13, 15
10/15 Thu Finish Lens and Pinhole lab
10/16 Fri Read: 5.5, 5.6
Do: p. 138 R+D: 11, 13, 14; TF/MC: 16, 17
10/19 Mon Begin Lenses, Mirrors and Telescopes Lab
10/20 Tue Read: 5.7, 5.8
Do: p. 138 R+D: 16, 19, 20; TF/MC: 9, 10, 19
10/21 Wed Finish Lenses, Mirrors & Telescopes lab
10/22 Thu Test 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, & Chapter 5
- Magius modified a Super Mario World for a lesson on mechanical waves in Super Mario Physics. This site is blocked from GDRSD computers, probably due to dating service advertisements. New! 5/18/07