APS Science 2011
APS Science Curriculum Unit Planner
Grade Level/Subject
Physics - Waves
Stage 1: Desired Results
Enduring Understanding
All waves, regardless of origin or type, transmit energy from one place to another and share a common
set of characteristics that explain their behavior. Wave behavior can be used to understand and explain
many everyday phenomena.
Correlations
Unifying Understanding
VA SOL
PH.8 The student will investigate and understand wave phenomena.
Key concepts include
a) wave characteristics;
b) fundamental wave processes; and
c) light and sound in terms of wave models.
PH.9 The student will investigate and understand that different
frequencies and wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum are
phenomena ranging from radio waves through visible light to gamma
radiation. Key concepts include
a) the properties, behaviors, and relative size of radio waves,
microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and
gamma rays;
b) wave/particle dual nature of light; and
c) current applications based on the respective wavelengths.
NSES (grade level)
Grades 9-12, Standard B
 essay, pages 177-178
 Interactions of Energy and Matter, page 180
AAAS Atlas
Waves, Pages 64-65
Essential Questions
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How do wave characteristics determine their behavior?
Knowledge and Skills
Students should know:
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APS Science 2011
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•Mechanical waves transport energy as a traveling disturbance in a medium.
•In a transverse wave, particles of the medium oscillate in a direction perpendicular to the
direction the wave travels.
•In a longitudinal wave, particles of the medium oscillate in a direction parallel to the direction
the wave travels.
•Wave velocity equals the product of the frequency and the wavelength.
•For small angles of oscillation, a pendulum exhibits simple harmonic motion.
•Frequency and period are reciprocals of each other.
•Waves are reflected and transmitted when they encounter a change in medium or a boundary.
•The overlapping of two or more waves results in constructive or destructive interference.
•When source and observer are in relative motion, a shift in frequency occurs (Doppler effect).
•Sound is a longitudinal mechanical wave that travels through matter.
•Light is a transverse electromagnetic wave that can travel through matter as well as a vacuum.
•Reflection is the change of direction of the wave in the original medium.
•Refraction is the change of direction of the wave at the boundary between two media.
•Diffraction is the spreading of a wave around a barrier or an aperture.
•The pitch of a note is determined by the frequency of the sound wave.
•The color of light is determined by the frequency of the light wave.
•As the amplitude of a sound wave increases, the loudness of the sound increases.
•As the amplitude of a light wave increases, the intensity of the light increases.
•Electromagnetic waves can be polarized by reflection or transmission.
•Polarizing filters allow light oriented in one direction (or component of) to pass through.
•Frequency, wavelength, and energy vary across the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
•The long wavelength, low frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum is used for
communication (e.g., radio, TV, cellular phone).
•Medium wavelengths (infrared) are used for heating and remote control devices.
•Visible light comprises a relatively narrow portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
•Ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths (shorter than the visible spectrum) are ionizing radiation and can
cause damage to humans. UV is responsible for sunburn, and can be used for sterilization and
fluorescence.
•X-rays and gamma rays are the highest frequency (shortest wavelength) and are used primarily
for medical purposes. These wavelengths are also ionizing radiation and can cause damage to
humans.
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Students should be able to:
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Identify examples of and differentiate between transverse and longitudinal waves, using
simulations and/or models.
Illustrate period, wavelength, and amplitude on a graphic representation of a wave.
Solve problems involving frequency, period, wavelength, and velocity.
Distinguish between superimposed waves that are in-phase and those that are out-of-phase.
Graphically illustrate reflection and refraction of a wave when it encounters a change in medium
or a boundary.
Graphically illustrate constructive and destructive interference.
Identify a standing wave, using a string.
Describe the change in observed frequency of waves due to the motion of a source or a receiver
(the Doppler effect).
Identify common uses for radio waves, microwaves, X-rays and gamma rays.
Stage 2: Assessment Evidence
Prior Knowledge and Skills
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Determination of the speed of an object
Rudimentary familiarity with important wave concepts such as wavelength and amplitude
Formative Assessment
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Summative Assessment
Mid-unit quiz
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End of unit cumulative assessment
Stage 3: Learning Plan
References to Adopted Materials
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See textbook correlation below
Suggested Investigations
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Various laboratory experiences using microphones and data logger software to analyze sound
waves
Investigation of the various properties of waves using slinkys
Outdoor Education Applications
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None currently stated
Resources
Web Sites
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Waves: http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/waves/wavestoc.html
Sound: http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/sound/soundtoc.html
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standing waves simulation
http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Wave_on_a_String
bugle harmonics: http://www.philtulga.com/TubeFinished.swf
interference simulation: http://www.falstad.com/interference/
http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/applets/fourier.html
http://phet-web.colorado.edu/simulations/waveinterference/waveinterference.jnlp
Beat frequency simulation: http://www.mta.ca/faculty/science/physics/suren/Beats/Beats.html
doppler: http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph11e/dopplereff.htm
doppler: http://www.lon-capa.org/~mmp/applist/doppler/d.htm
Videos
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None currently stated
Online clips
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None currently stated
Field Trips
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None currently stated
Other
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None currently stated
Textbook Correlations
Topic
Intensified Physics
Regular Physics
Principles of Physics
Wave terminology
Cutnell & Johnson
Physics, Ch 16.1-2
Hsu, Foundations of
Physics, Ch 13.1,
14.1-2
Hsu, Physics – A First
Course, Ch 19.1-2,
20.1
Longitudinal vs.
Transverse waves
Cutnell & Johnson
Physics, Ch 16.5, 17.5
Hsu, Foundations of
Physics, Ch 14.1
Hsu, Physics – A First
Course, Ch 20.1
Doppler Effect
Cutnell & Johnson
Physics, Ch 16.9
Hsu, Foundations of
Physics, Ch 15.2
Hsu, Physics – A First
Course, Ch 21.1
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APS Science 2011
Wave superposition
Cutnell & Johnson
Physics, Ch 17.1-2,
17.4, 27.1
Hsu, Foundations of
Physics, Ch 14.2
Hsu, Physics – A First
Course, Ch 20.3
Musical instruments
(strings and pipes)
Cutnell & Johnson
Physics, Ch 17.5-6
Hsu, Foundations of
Physics, Ch 15.2-3
Hsu, Physics – A First
Course, Ch 21.3
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