Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard/s

Concepts Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite skills

VII. Mechanical Waves and Sound

     A. Mechanical Waves

       1. Types of Mechanical Waves

         a. Transverse

         b. Longitudinal

         c. Surface

     B. Properties of Mechanical Waves

       1. Frequency and Period

       2. Wavelength

       3. Wave Speed

       4. Amplitude

          a. Formulae

          b. Units

          c. Calculation of wave properties

     C. Behavior of Waves

       1. Reflection

       2. Refraction

       3. Diffraction

       4. Interference

         a. Constructive

         b. Destructive

        5. Standing Waves

        6 Polarization

     D. Sound

       1. Sound Waves

          a. compression

          b. rarefaction

        2. Speed

           a. medium

        3.Intensity and Loudness

        4. Frequency and Pitch

        5. Amplitude

        6. Resonance

        7. Ultrasonic

        8. Doppler Effect

        9. Hearing

           a. Ear

     10. Sound Production

           a. music

           b. noise

           c. sound barrier

     11. SONAR

4.1Differentiate between wave motion (simple harmonic nonlinear motion) and the motion of objects (non harmonic).

4.2 Recognize the measurable properties of waves (e.g., velocity, frequency, wavelength) and explain the relationships among them.

4.3 Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves.

4.4 Distinguish between mechanical and electromagnetic waves.

4.5 Interpret and be able to apply the laws of reflection and  refraction (qualitatively) to all

waves.

4.6 Recognize the effects of polarization, wave interaction, and the Doppler effect. 

4.7 Explain, graph, and

interpret graphs of

constructive and

destructive interference

of waves.

4.8 Explain the relationship between the speed of a wave (e.g., sound) and the medium it travels       through.

4.9 Recognize the characteristics of a

standing wave and explain the conditions

under which two waves

on a string or in a pipe

can interfere to produce

a standing wave

· Define mechanical

· waves and relate waves to energy.

· Describe transverse, longitudinal, and surface waves, identify their main parts, and discuss how they are produced.

· Give examples of transverse and longitudinal waves.

· Define frequency, period, wavelength, and wave speed and describe these properties for different kinds of waves.

· Calculate the speed the speed of a wave using wavelength and frequency.

· Measure the amplitude of a wave and relate amplitude to the energy of a wave.

· Describe how reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference affect waves.

· Identify factors that affect the amount of refraction, diffraction, or interference.

· Distinguish between constructive and destructive interference. 

· Describe how a standing wave forms.

· Describe the properties of sound waves (speed, intensity and loudness, frequency and pitch)

· Describe how sound waves behave in applications such as ultrasound and music.

 · Explain the Doppler Effect in terms of frequency and relative motion.

· Describe the functions of main parts of the human ear.

· Be able to solve for the variables and supply appropriate units in each of the following formulae:

· V = f λ

Where:

 v = velocity

 f = frequency

 λ = wavelength

· frequency = 1/Period

· Period = 1/ frequency