CONCEPTS

There are two types of wave (transverse and longitudinal)

Sound waves are longitudinal, light waves are transverse)

Amplitude, wavelength, frequency

Compressions and rarefactions

The wave equation (wave speed = frequency X wavelength)

Resonance

Polarisation

Reflection

Refraction

Diffraction

LESSONS

Using a slinky to demonstrate types of wave

Ripple tank demonstrations of reflection, diffraction, refraction

Wavefront explanations of reflection, diffraction and refraction

Demonstration of a tuning fork vibrating

Grooves in a gramophone cause vibrations

Bell in vacuum showing that sound does not travel in a vacuum

Measurement of the speed of sound (by echoes or by electronic timer)

Doppler shift

Use of oscilloscope to demonstrate wavelength, frequency and amplitude of sound waves and hearing acuity of human ear.

Natural frequency, forced vibrations, resonance as shown by Tacoma narrows bridge, Millennium Bridge, (Tay Bridge disaster) etc

LINKS + SOFTWARE