Regents Physics - Waves
Waves transfer energy through matter or space. We find waves everywhere: sound waves, light waves, microwaves, radio waves, water waves, earthquake waves, slinky waves, x-rays, and on and on. Developing an understanding of waves will allow us to understand how energy is transferred in the universe, and will eventually lead to a better understanding of matter and energy itself!
Objectives
- Define a pulse and a wave.
- Explain the difference between mechanical and electromechanical waves.
- Explain the characteristics of transverse and longitudinal waves.
- Describe the behavior of a pulse at a boundary.
- Utilize the principle of superposition to analyze constructive and destructive interference.
- Utilize the relationship between wave characteristics such as frequency, period, amplitude, wavelength, and velocity to solve problems.
- Describe the formation of standing waves and explain nodes, antinodes, and resonance.
- Understand the nature of sound waves.
- Apply the Doppler effect qualitatively to problems involving moving sources or moving observers.
- Explain the law of reflection.
- Understand and apply Snell's law to problems involving wave refraction.
- Calculate the index of refraction in a medium.
- Relate the diffraction of light to its wave characteristics.
- Recognize characteristics of EM waves and determine the type of EM wave based on its characteristics.
Topics of Study
