SC15.PS.13

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

SC15.PS.13
Use mathematical representations to demonstrate the relationships among wavelength, frequency, and speed of waves (e.g., the relation v = $lambda$ f) traveling in various media (e.g., electromagnetic radiation traveling in a vacuum and glass, sound waves traveling through air and water, seismic waves traveling through Earth).

Unpacked Content

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect

Knowledge

Students know:

Waves are a repeating pattern of motion that transfers energy from place to place without overall displacement of matter.
A simple wave has a repeating pattern of specific wavelength, frequency, and amplitude.

Skills

Students are able to:

Use mathematics and computational thinking to solve for one wave component/variable when the other two are given.
Predict the change in a wave as it passes through different media.
Compare and contrast longitudinal and transverse waves.
Construct ray diagrams as light is refracted or reflected through/ from different media.
Label the components of a wave.
Classify waves as electromagnetic, mechanical or surface.

Understanding

Students understand that:

The wavelength and frequency of a wave are related to one another by the speed of travel of the wave, which depends on the type of wave and the medium through which it is passing.

Vocabulary

Wavelength
Frequency
Period
Amplitude
Velocity
Medium
Longitudinal wave
Transverse wave
Surface wave
Mechanical
Refraction
Light
Sound
Reflection
Diffraction
Interference

Design by Adaptive Theme