Waves: An Interactive Tutorial

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written by Kyle Forinash

This is a set of 30 interactive tutorials on the fundamentals of waves, appropriate for AP level or for students who have adequate preparation in advanced algebra/trigonometry. It starts with very simple wave properties and ends with nonlinear wave behavior. The author's emphasis is on properties/behaviors of waves which are hard to understand by looking at a textbook page; for example, wave interference, collision with boundaries (reflection), the motion of water waves, and addition of linear waves. Each of the tutorials contains a Java simulation of the wave process being discussed, plus a set of problems to encourage self-paced exploration.

Editor's Note: The first 10 tutorials can be adapted for use in Physics First or conceptual physics courses. As the lessons progress into polarization and non-linearity, both the reading and mathematics levels become more appropriate for AP physics. This resource could also be quite helpful to new and crossover teachers desiring a refresher in the properties and behavior of waves.

http://homepages.ius.edu/kforinas/W/Waves.html

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Education Practices - Active Learning = Modeling Optics - Geometrical Optics - Polarization Oscillations & Waves - General - Wave Motion = Doppler Effect = Impedance and Dispersion = Interference and Diffraction = Longitudinal Pulses and Waves = Phase and Group Velocity = Reflection and Refraction (Sound) = Standing Waves = Transverse Pulses and Waves	- High School - Lower Undergraduate - Upper Undergraduate	- Collection - Instructional Material = Interactive Simulation = Tutorial

Appropriate Courses	Categories	Ratings
- Physical Science - Physics First - Conceptual Physics - Algebra-based Physics - AP Physics	- Activity - Assessment - New teachers	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Intended Users:: Learner
Educator
Formats:: application/java
text/html
Access Rights:: Free access
Restriction:: © 2002 Kyle Forinash
Keywords:: fundamentals of waves, group velocity, wave behavior, wave dispersion, wave interference
Record Creator:: Metadata instance created August 17, 2005 by kyle forinash
Record Updated:: October 8, 2012 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update when Cataloged:: August 9, 2005
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AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

4. The Physical Setting

4F. Motion

6-8: 4F/M4. Vibrations in materials set up wavelike disturbances that spread away from the source. Sound and earthquake waves are examples. These and other waves move at different speeds in different materials.
6-8: 4F/M6. Light acts like a wave in many ways. And waves can explain how light behaves.
6-8: 4F/M7. Wave behavior can be described in terms of how fast the disturbance spreads, and in terms of the distance between successive peaks of the disturbance (the wavelength).
9-12: 4F/H5ab. The observed wavelength of a wave depends upon the relative motion of the source and the observer. If either is moving toward the other, the observed wavelength is shorter; if either is moving away, the wavelength is longer.
9-12: 4F/H6ab. Waves can superpose on one another, bend around corners, reflect off surfaces, be absorbed by materials they enter, and change direction when entering a new material. All these effects vary with wavelength.
9-12: 4F/H6c. The energy of waves (like any form of energy) can be changed into other forms of energy.

11. Common Themes

11B. Models

6-8: 11B/M4. Simulations are often useful in modeling events and processes.

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics Alignments

High School — Algebra (9-12)

Creating Equations^? (9-12)

A-CED.2 Create equations in two or more variables to represent relationships between quantities; graph equations on coordinate axes with labels and scales.
A-CED.4 Rearrange formulas to highlight a quantity of interest, using the same reasoning as in solving equations.

High School — Functions (9-12)

Interpreting Functions (9-12)

F-IF.4 For a function that models a relationship between two quantities, interpret key features of graphs and tables in terms of the quantities, and sketch graphs showing key features given a verbal description of the relationship.^?
F-IF.5 Relate the domain of a function to its graph and, where applicable, to the quantitative relationship it describes.^?
F-IF.9 Compare properties of two functions each represented in a different way (algebraically, graphically, numerically in tables, or by verbal descriptions).

Trigonometric Functions (9-12)

F-TF.5 Choose trigonometric functions to model periodic phenomena with specified amplitude, frequency, and midline.^?

Common Core State Reading Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects 6—12

Craft and Structure (6-12)

RST.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 11—12 texts and topics.

Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity (6-12)

RST.11-12.10 By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 11—CCR text complexity band independently and proficiently.

This resource is part of 2 Physics Front Topical Units.

Topic: Wave Energy
Unit Title: Teaching About Waves and Wave Energy

New and crossover teachers often appreciate a way to "see" physics beyond the pages of a textbook. This interactive tutorial covers every topic typically studied in an introduction to Waves. There are 20 sequenced tutorials, each with a discussion of one focused idea, a Java simulation that depicts that idea, and self-guided questions at the end.

Link to Unit:

Topic: Wave Energy
Unit Title: Teaching About Waves and Wave Energy

Many students benefit from a simulation-based exploration of physics phenomena that allows them to self-pace. This is a set of 20 sequenced tutorials on the topic of Waves, developed to promote understanding of processes that can't be visualized in a textbook illustration. Each tutorial has a discussion section, a Java simulation the students can manipulate, and self-guided questions at the end.

Link to Unit:

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<a href="http://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=3146">Forinash, Kyle. Waves: An Interactive Tutorial. August 9, 2005.</a>

AIP Format

K. Forinash, Waves: An Interactive Tutorial (2002), WWW Document, (http://homepages.ius.edu/kforinas/W/Waves.html).

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K. Forinash, Waves: An Interactive Tutorial (2002), <http://homepages.ius.edu/kforinas/W/Waves.html>.

APA Format

Forinash, K. (2005, August 9). Waves: An Interactive Tutorial. Retrieved May 25, 2013, from http://homepages.ius.edu/kforinas/W/Waves.html

Chicago Format

Forinash, Kyle. Waves: An Interactive Tutorial. August 9, 2005. http://homepages.ius.edu/kforinas/W/Waves.html (accessed 25 May 2013).

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Forinash, Kyle. Waves: An Interactive Tutorial. 2002. 9 Aug. 2005. 25 May 2013 <http://homepages.ius.edu/kforinas/W/Waves.html>.

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@misc{ Author = "Kyle Forinash", Title = {Waves: An Interactive Tutorial}, Volume = {2013}, Number = {25 May 2013}, Month = {August 9, 2005}, Year = {2002} }

Refer Export Format

%A Kyle Forinash
%T Waves: An Interactive Tutorial
%D August 9, 2005
%U http://homepages.ius.edu/kforinas/W/Waves.html
%O application/java

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%0 Electronic Source
%A Forinash, Kyle
%D August 9, 2005
%T Waves: An Interactive Tutorial
%V 2013
%N 25 May 2013
%8 August 9, 2005
%9 application/java
%U http://homepages.ius.edu/kforinas/W/Waves.html

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