Students learn to:

1. The energy transformations in mobile telephone
2. The energy transformations in fax/modem
3. The energy transformations in radio and television

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

A1.1

perform a first-hand investigation to observe and gather information about the transmission of waves in: slinky springs, water waves, ropes or use appropriate computer simulations

A1.2

present diagrammatic information about transverse and longitudinal waves, direction of particle movement and direction of propagation

A1.3

perform a first-hand investigation to gather information about the frequency, amplitude and velocity of waves using an oscilloscope and electronic data-logging equipment

A1.4

present and analyse information from displacement-time graphs for transverse wave motion

A1.5

plan, choose equipment for and perform a first-hand investigation to gather information to identify the relationship between frequency and wavelength of a sound wave travelling at constant velocity

A1.6

solve problems and analyse information by applying the mathematical model of v = fl to a range of situations

Ref

Students learn to:

2.1

Identify that sound waves are vibrations or oscillations of particles in a medium

2.2

Relate the compressions and rarefactions of sound waves to the crests and troughs of transverse waves used to represent them

2.3

Explain qualitatively that pitch is related to frequency and volume to amplitude in sound waves

2.4

Explain an echo as a reflection of a sound wave

2.5

Describe the principle of superposition in sound and compare the resulting waves to the original waves

A2.1

Perform a first-hand investigation and gather information to analyse sound waves from a variety of sources using the Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO) or an alternate computer technology.

A2.2

Perform a first-hand investigation, gather, process and present information using a CRO or computer to demonstrate the principle of superposition for two waves travelling in the same medium.

A2.3

Present graphical information, solve problems and analyse information involving superposition of sound waves.

Ref

Students learn to:

3.1

Describe electromagnetic waves in terms of their speed in space and their lack of a requirement for a medium for propagation

3.2

Identify the electromagnetic wavebands filtered out by the atmosphere, especially UV, X-rays and gamma rays

3.3

Identify some methods of detection of various wavebands in the electromagnetic spectrum

3.4

Explain that the relationship between the intensity of electromagnetic radiation and distance from a source (for large distance) is an example of the inverse square law (I a 1 / d² )

3.5

Outline the modulation of amplitude or frequency of visible light, microwaves and radio waves can be used to transmit information

3.6

Discuss problems produced by the limited range of the electromagnetic spectrum available for communication purposes

A3.1

plan, choose equipment or resources for and perform a first-hand investigation and gather information to model the inverse square law for light intensity with distance from the source

A3.2

analyse information to identify the waves involved in the transfer of energy that occurs during the use of one of the following: mobile phone, television, radar

A3.3

analyse information to identify the electromagnetic spectrum range utilised in modern communications technologies

Ref

Students learn to:

4.1

Describe and apply the law of reflection and explain the effect of reflection from a plane surface on waves

4.2

1. plane surfaces;
2. concave surfaces;
3. convex surfaces;
4. radio waves being reflected by the ionosphere.

4.4

Explain that refraction is related to the velocities of a wave in different media and outline how this may result in the bending of a wavefront

4.5

Define refractive index in terms of changes in the velocity of a wave in passing from one medium to another

4.6

Define Snell's Law:

4.7

Identify the conditions necessary for total internal reflection with reference to critical angle

4.8

Outline how total internal reflection is used in fibre optics

A4.1

perform first-hand investigations and gather information to observe the path of light rays and construct diagrams indicating both the direction of travel of the light rays and a wave front

A4.2

present information using ray diagrams to show the path of waves reflected off plane surfaces, concave surfaces, convex surfaces, the ionosphere

A4.3

perform an investigation and gather information to graph the angle of incidence and refraction for light encountering a medium change showing the relationship between these angles

A4.4

perform a first-hand investigation and gather information to calculate the refractive index of glass or perspex

A4.5

solve problems and analyse information using Snell's Law

Ref

Students learn to:

5.1

Identify types of communication data that are stored or transmitted in digital form

5.1

identify data sources, gather, process and present information from secondary sources to identify areas of current research and use the available evidence to discuss some of the underlying physical principles used in one application of physics related to waves such as:
    – Global Positioning System
    – CD technology
    – the internet (digital process)
    – DVD technology