Quantum Mechanics - Part 1: Crash Course Physics #43

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

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).

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).

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

CR Resource Type

Audio/Video

Resource Provider

PBS

License Type

CUSTOM

Accessibility

Video resources: includes closed captioning or subtitles
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