Chapter 5: Wave
What you need to learn in this chapter
In this chapter, we will be learning about the fundamentals of waves. We will describe what waves are and identify the different types of waves. We will also study damping and resonance in oscillating or vibrating systems, and understand the effects of resonance in our daily lives.
Furthermore, we will explore the reflection of waves. We will learn about the angle of incidence and reflection, wavelength, frequency, speed, and direction of propagation of waves. We will also draw diagrams to understand the reflection of plane water waves through a plane reflector.
Lastly, we will study the refraction of waves. We will examine the angle of incidence and refraction, wavelength, frequency, speed, and direction of propagation of waves. We will also draw diagrams to visualize the refraction of waves at different depths.
By the end of this chapter, we will have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of waves, damping and resonance, reflection, and refraction.
Topics in this chapter
1. Fundamentals of Waves
What you will learn in this topic
- Describe waves
- State the types of waves
- Compare transverse waves and longitudinal waves
- Explain the characteristics of waves
- Sketch and interpret wave graphs: (i) displacement - time, (ii) displacement - distance
- Determine wavelength, λ, frequency, f and wave speed, v
2. Damping and Resonance
What you will learn in this topic
- Describe damping and resonance for an oscillating/ vibrating system
- Justify the effects of resonance in our daily life
3. Reflection of Waves
What you will learn in this topic
- Describe reflection of waves f rom the following aspects: (i) angle of incidence, i (ii) angle of reflection, r (iii) wavelength, λ (iv) frequency, f (v) speed, v (vi) direction of propagation of waves
- Draw a diagram to show the reflection of plane water waves by through a plane reflector
- Justify the application of reflection of waves in daily life
- Solve problems involving reflection of waves
4. Refraction of Waves
What you will learn in this topic
- Describe refraction of waves from the following aspects: (i) angle of incidence, i (ii) angle of refraction, r (iii) wavelength, λ (iv) frequency, f (v) speed, v (vi) direction of propagation of waves
- Draw diagrams to show the refraction of waves for two different depths
- Explain natural phenomena of refraction of waves in daily life
- Solve problems involving refraction of waves
5. Diffraction of Waves
What you will learn in this topic
- Describe diffraction of waves from the following aspects: (i) wavelength, λ (ii) frequency, f (iii) speed, v (iv) amplitude, A (v) direction of propagation of waves
- Determine factors affecting diffraction of waves
- Draw diagrams to show the pattern of diffraction of water waves and the effect of diffraction of light waves
- Explain the applications of diffraction of waves in daily life
6. Interference of Waves
What you will learn in this topic
- Explain the principle of superposition of waves
- Describe the pattern of interference for (i) water waves (ii) sound waves (iii) light waves
- Relate λ, a, x and D for the wave interference pattern
- Solve problems involving interference of waves
- Communicate on the applications of interference of waves in daily life
7. Electromagnetic Waves
What you will learn in this topic
- Characteristics of electromagnetic waves
- State the components of the electromagnetic spectrum according to wavelengths and frequencies
- Communicate to explain about the applications of each component in the electromagnetic spectrum in daily life
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