Albert Einstein on the inability of the classical physics concepts "particle" or "wave" to fully describe the behavior of quantum-scale objects.
“It seems as though we must sometimes use one theory (particles), and sometimes the other (waves), while at times we may use either. We are faced with a new kind of difficulty. We have two contradictory pictures of reality; separately neither of them fully explains the phenomena of light, but together they do.”
Describe the physical properties of waves and wave pulses
Describe the physical properties of a periodic wave.
Describe the interaction between a wave and a boundary.
Describe the properties of an electromagnetic wave.
Boundary Statement:
Students are expected to know the ordering of the electromagnetic spectrum (including visible light). However, students will not be expected to define the exact wavelength ranges within the electromagnetic spectrum.
Describe the properties of a wave based on the relative motion between the source of the wave and the observer of the wave.
Boundary Statement:
Only qualitative treatments of the Doppler effect are required for AP Physics 2.
Describe the net disturbance that occurs when two or more wave pulses or waves overlap.
Describe the behavior of a wave and the resulting diffraction pattern resulting from a wave passing through a single opening.
Describe the behavior of a wave and the resulting diffraction pattern resulting from a wave passing through multiple openings.