Wave Motion

The Wave Motion module consists of 8 missions (assignments) that address such topics as the nature of a wave, properties of a wave and basic wave behaviors such as interference and boundary behavior. The 8 missions and the corresponding objectives are listed below.  Tap a mission's name to begin.

 

Quick Links to Missions:

 

Mission Objectives:

Mission WM1: Nature and Categories of Waves

• The student should be able to describe the nature of a wave and explain the distinction between wave motion and particle motion.
• The student should be able to identify and distinguish between contrasting types of waves.

  

 

Mission WM2: Wave Characteristics

• The student should be able to describe the basic characteristics of waves such as frequency, wavelength, amplitude, period, and speed.
• The student should be able to utilize mathematical relationships related to wave characteristics.

 
 

Mission WM3: Speed of a Wave

• The student should be able to define wave speed and identify the variables which effect wave speed.
• The student should be able to utilize the definition of wave speed to solve simple computational problems involving speed, distance and time.

 
 

Mission WM4: Wavelength-Frequency-Speed Relationship

• The student should be able to perform straight-forward calculations using the wave equation.
• The student should be able to interpret textual information and diagrams in order to perform mathematical analyses using the wave equation.

 
 

Mission WM5: Boundary Behavior of Waves

• The student should be able to predict how alterations in the medium through which a wave is traveling will effect the properties of that wave.
• The student should be able to predict the orientation of the reflected pulse at the boundary between two media.

 
 

Mission WM6: Interference of Waves

• The student should be able to recognize the distinction between constructive and destructive interference.
• The student should be able to utilize the principle of superposition to predict the shape and amplitude of a wave form resulting from the interference of two waves.

 
 

Mission WM7: Standing Wave Patterns and Harmonics

• The student should be able to identify key concepts regarding the anatomy of a standing wave.
• The student should be able to relate the length of a medium to the wavelength of a standing wave established in that medium.

 
 

Mission WM8: Mathematics of Standing Waves

• The student should be able to mathematically analyze standing wave patterns.
• The student should be able to utilize a combination of textual information and diagrams to mathematically analyze standing wave patterns.

 
 

 

 

 

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