Unit 8: Waves Objectives

Key Concepts of Waves

Wave Characteristics

• Electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves have distinct characteristics and properties.
• Waves carry energy without transferring matter; amplitude relates to energy transfer.

Wave Behavior

• Interference patterns arise from the superposition of waves.
• Waves reflect and refract when they encounter a boundary between two media.
• Frequency remains constant when a wave enters a new medium.
• The Doppler Effect is a shift in frequency due to the relative motion of a source and receiver.

Wave Types

• Transverse waves: Medium moves perpendicular to wave direction (e.g., light).
• Longitudinal waves: Medium moves parallel to wave direction (e.g., sound).
• Electromagnetic waves don't require a medium; sound waves do.

Wave Properties

• Frequency is directly related to pitch.
• Amplitude is directly related to loudness.
• Every object has natural frequencies (resonance).
• Temperature affects the speed of sound in air.

Calculations and Relationships

• Skills in using formulas to calculate angles, index of refraction, speed, frequency, wavelength, and period.
• Index of refraction: ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its speed in a medium.
• Snell's Law is used to mathematically determine the index of refraction.

Total Internal Reflection

• Occurs when a wave is incident on a boundary at an angle where no refraction occurs, only reflection.

Skills to Develop

• Differentiate between transverse and longitudinal waves.
• Predict superposition of waves (constructive and destructive interference).
• Observe, sketch, and interpret wave front behavior (reflection, refraction, diffraction).
• Draw ray diagrams for reflection and refraction.
• Relate electromagnetic wave frequency to its type and wavelength on the EM spectrum.