Waves
Learn about the properties of all forms of energy that travel as waves:
amplitude, frequency, period, wavelength, phase, speed.
See here for a great demonstration that the speed of a wave is a property of the material.
Discover that there are three categories of waves, depending on the type of disturbance they create in a medium:
Longitudinal (eg. sound), Transverse (eg. light), and Surface (eg. water).
Become adept at using the universal wave equation to solve problems involving speed, frequency, and wavelength.
Find examples of the following in real life:
reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, polarization*, and the Doppler effect.
*Polarization is treated in the Optics unit of physics 11.
Please explore these oPhysics simulations on Waves.
The physics of waves is needed to understand standing waves demonstrations like this one.
Please explore the random links below for interest and learning, but try the Khan Academy course on Waves for a complete understanding of waves. Note that there are sections beyond physics 11.
I recommend the following:
First two lessons of simple harmonic motion (no calculus!).
All three lessons of intro to mechanical waves.
First four lessons for sound, but don't worry about the equation in the fourth lesson. The rest for interest.
First lesson of Doppler effect. Rest for interest only.
First five lessons of wave interference.
