Topic: Waves – General Properties of Waves
Lesson 1: Introduction to Waves
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Objective | – Understand that waves transfer energy without transferring matter.– Describe wave motion using ropes, springs, and water wave experiments. |
| Activities | Starter (5 mins): Show a short video of waves traveling through a rope and water surface.Main (25 mins): 1. Demonstrate wave motion with a rope and spring. 2. Discuss how particles in the medium vibrate without overall displacement.3. Highlight energy transfer in waves using examples (e.g., sound waves, water waves).Plenary (10 mins): Quick quiz: Can waves transfer matter? Why or why not? |
| Resources | Rope, spring, videos of wave experiments. |
| Time | 40 minutes |
| Homework | Write an explanation of how energy is transferred in waves without transferring matter, using examples. |
| Assessment | Students explain wave motion during the plenary and in their homework. |
| Past Paper Practice | IGCSE Physics 0625/22/O/N/18 Q2(a). |
Lesson 2: Features of a Wave
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Objective | – Describe the features of a wave: wavefront, wavelength, frequency, crest (peak), trough, amplitude, and wave speed.– Recall and use the equation v=fλv = f \lambda. |
| Activities | Starter (5 mins): Ask students to brainstorm features of waves (e.g., high/low, fast/slow) and relate these to their observations of water waves.Main (25 mins): 1. Use diagrams to explain wavefronts, wavelength, and amplitude.2. Provide the formula v=fλv = f \lambda, and solve numerical problems to calculate wave speed.Plenary (10 mins): Students draw labeled diagrams of waves showing all key features. |
| Resources | Diagrams of waves, formula worksheets, calculator. |
| Time | 40 minutes |
| Homework | Solve numerical problems involving v=fλv = f \lambda using the provided worksheet. |
| Assessment | Students calculate wave speed during the main activity and identify wave features on diagrams. |
| Past Paper Practice | IGCSE Physics 0625/12/M/J/19 Q3(a). |
Lesson 3: Types of Waves – Transverse and Longitudinal
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Objective | – Differentiate between transverse and longitudinal waves.– Understand the direction of vibration relative to propagation for each type.– Identify examples of transverse and longitudinal waves. |
| Activities | Starter (5 mins): Use animations to show transverse and longitudinal waves.Main (25 mins): 1. Explain transverse waves (vibration at right angles to propagation) and give examples (e.g., water waves, electromagnetic waves).2. Explain longitudinal waves (vibration parallel to propagation) and give examples (e.g., sound waves, seismic P-waves).3. Use a slinky to demonstrate both wave types.Plenary (10 mins): Students classify examples of waves as transverse or longitudinal. |
| Resources | Slinky, animations of wave types. |
| Time | 40 minutes |
| Homework | Create a table comparing transverse and longitudinal waves with examples. |
| Assessment | Students classify waves during plenary discussion and explain key differences. |
| Past Paper Practice | IGCSE Physics 0625/21/M/J/20 Q5(b). |
Lesson 4: Reflection, Refraction, and Diffraction
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Objective | – Describe how waves undergo reflection, refraction, and diffraction.– Understand practical demonstrations using ripple tanks. |
| Activities | Starter (5 mins): Show real-life examples of wave reflection (e.g., echo), refraction (e.g., a straw in water), and diffraction (e.g., sound bending around corners).Main (25 mins): 1. Demonstrate reflection, refraction, and diffraction using a ripple tank.2. Explain how wave behavior changes due to plane surfaces, speed changes, or narrow gaps.Plenary (10 mins): Students summarize how wavelength and gap size affect diffraction. |
| Resources | Ripple tank, diagrams, water surface, wave generator. |
| Time | 40 minutes |
| Homework | Write a short note on how diffraction affects sound waves and light waves differently. |
| Assessment | Students explain the concepts during class discussion and identify examples of wave behavior. |
| Past Paper Practice | IGCSE Physics 0625/22/O/N/19 Q4(b). |
Lesson 5: Practical Use of a Ripple Tank
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Objective | – Use a ripple tank to demonstrate reflection, refraction, and diffraction.– Describe how wavelength and gap size affect diffraction. |
| Activities | Starter (5 mins): Recap previous concepts of reflection, refraction, and diffraction.Main (25 mins): 1. Perform ripple tank experiments to show reflection at a plane surface, refraction due to depth changes, and diffraction through narrow gaps.2. Discuss how wavelength and gap size affect diffraction.Plenary (10 mins): Students explain one observation from the ripple tank experiment. |
| Resources | Ripple tank, whiteboard, diagrams of wave behavior. |
| Time | 40 minutes |
| Homework | Draw labeled diagrams of ripple tank experiments showing reflection, refraction, and diffraction. |
| Assessment | Students demonstrate understanding of ripple tank experiments through explanations and diagrams. |
| Past Paper Practice | IGCSE Physics 0625/31/M/J/20 Q3(c). |
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