Waves and Wave Properties
Students learn about the types of waves and how they change direction, as well as basic wave properties such as wavelength, frequency, amplitude and speed. During the presentation of lecture information on wave characteristics and properties, students take notes using a handout. Then they label wave parts on a worksheet diagram and draw their own waves with specified properties (crest, trough and wavelength). They also make observations about the waves they drew to determine which has the highest and the lowest frequency. With this knowledge, students better understand waves and are a step closer to understanding how humans see color.
Sunlight that can cause sunburn. Ocean waves. Microwaves that pop popcorn. X-rays. Are these waves the same? How would you describe them?Copyright (top left) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (top right) 2004 Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399 USA. (lower left) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (lower right) National Science Foundation. http://www.girlshealth.gov/environment/sun/effects.cfm http://www.foodsafety.gov/blog/snacking%20.html http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/03/tip030922.htm
Engineers apply their knowledge of waves to design an array of useful products and tools, many of which are evident in our everyday lives. For example: microwave ovens, x-ray machines, eyeglasses, tsunami prediction, radios and speakers. Engineers must understand all the properties of waves and how waves can differ from one another in order to design safe and effective products. To predict how tsunamis will travel after a ocean earthquake, engineers must understand wave properties and how they travel. Engineers also use their understanding of wave properties when designing electronics—to separate different types of waves so that radios tune in to the right stations, or so your cell phone only picks up the calls that you want. Before designing a solution to a challenge, engineers conduct research and gather information as a crucial part of the engineering design process. Through this legacy cycle lesson, students begin to gather the knowledge necessary to come up with a solution to the engineering challenge outlined in lesson 1 of this unit.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Explain that waves transfer energy, not matter.
- Distinguish between mechanical and electromagnetic waves.
- Summarize the major properties and behavior of waves, including (but not limited to) wavelength, frequency, amplitude, speed, refraction, reflection and diffraction.