Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Quantum Mechanics - Part 1: Crash Course Physics #43

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

What is light? That is something that has plagued scientists for centuries. It behaves like a wave and a particle. Is it both? In this episode of Crash Course Physics, Dr. Shini introduces the idea of quantum mechanics and how it helps us understand light. Also, there's this thing called the ultraviolet catastrophe.

    Science (2015) Grade(s): 09-12 - Physics

    SC15.PHYS.8

    Investigate the nature of wave behavior to illustrate the concept of the superposition principle responsible for wave patterns, constructive and destructive interference, and standing waves (e.g., organ pipes, tuned exhaust systems).

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.PHYS.8

    Vocabulary

    • model
    • Doppler Effect
    • constructive interference
    • destructive interference
    • standing wave
    • superposition principle
    • wave
    • wave speed
    • frequency
    • period
    • speed of light
    • speed of sound
    • wavelength
    • medium
    • SONAR
    • RADAR
    • Red shift
    • ultrasound
    • crest
    • trough
    • amplitude
    • node
    • antinode
    • sound
    • mechanical
    • electromagnetic
    • compression
    • rarefaction
    • longitudinal

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • The concept of the superposition principle.
    • The relationship among frequency, wavelength and speed.
    • The relationship between frequency and pitch.
    • The relationship between wavelength and color.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Illustrate/model the concept of the superposition principle responsible for wave patterns.
    • Illustrate/model waveforms to show interference.
    • Illustrate/model waveforms to show standing waves.
    • Explore wave behavior.
    • Make predictions about wave behavior as applied to phenomena such as Doppler and SONAR.
    • Locate information from multiple sources.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • When waves interfere they form wave patterns predicted by the law of superposition.
    • Wave behavior, known as the Doppler Effect, can be used to determine the relative speed of objects producing or reflecting waves.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Planning and Carrying out Investigations

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Structure and Function
    Science (2015) Grade(s): 09-12 - Physics

    SC15.PHYS.10

    Plan and carry out investigations that evaluate the mathematical explanations of light as related to optical systems (e.g., reflection, refraction, diffraction, intensity, polarization, Snell’s law, the inverse square law).

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.PHYS.10

    Vocabulary

    • medium
    • model
    • graph
    • image distance
    • object distance
    • focal point
    • magnification
    • critical angle
    • refraction
    • reflection
    • diffraction
    • interference
    • constructive interference
    • destructive interference
    • principal axis
    • center of curvature
    • intensity
    • inverse
    • angle of incidence
    • angle of reflection
    • angle of refraction
    • index of refraction
    • speed of light
    • system
    • velocity
    • polarization
    • minima
    • maxima
    • order
    • slit width
    • slit separation
    • object
    • image
    • real
    • virtual
    • inverted
    • erect
    • spherical aberration
    • chromatic aberration
    • total internal reflection
    • law of reflection
    • Snell's lLaw
    • prism
    • ray
    • concave
    • convex
    • plane
    • divergent
    • convergent
    • ray diagrams

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • How light interacts at boundaries of different media.
    • The wave properties of light.
    • Basic trigonometric equations.
    • How to do graphical analysis.
    • Inverse and inverse square relationships.
    • Types of images and how images are formed.
    • Appropriate units of measure.
    • How to identify a system.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Develop an appropriate experimental procedure.
    • Create a data sheet.
    • Collect and organize experimental data.
    • Follow written and verbal instructions.
    • Make measurements using standard units.
    • Effectively manipulate laboratory equipment.
    • Work safely in collaborative lab groups.
    • Manipulate equations.
    • Interpret graphical data.
    • Solve mathematical equations.
    • Draw a light ray diagram and identify the location of an image.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • The behavior of light is predictable mathematically allowing the development of optical devices to improve vision macroscopically and microscopically.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Planning and Carrying out Investigations

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Cause and Effect
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Audio/Video

    Resource Provider

    PBS
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
    License

    License Type

    CUSTOM
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