Download Students will understand that…

UNIT PLAN
Subject: Physical Science
Unit #_8_
Unit Name_Nature and Properties of Waves _
Big Idea/Theme:
Waves transfer energy from place to place without transferring matter.
Culminating Assessment:
 On a written assessment, students will be able to solve problems involving
velocity, frequency and wavelengths, diagram and label the two types of waves,
and diagram and label the electromagnetic spectrum.
 Create a poster, brochure or PowerPoint explaining earthquakes including how
and why the waves form, and why they form in the places they do form.
Unit Understanding(s)
Unit Essential Question(s):
Students will understand that…
 What are the two types of waves?
 energy of waves is transferred by
 How is energy carried through
interaction with matter.
matter?
 transverse and longitudinal
 What are the properties of
(compressional) mechanical waves
transverse waves?
have similar properties.
 What are the properties of
 Waves have characteristics.
longitudinal
(compressional)
waves?
 the formulas v = f  and v = d/t to
solve problems related to the
 What are the parts of a wave?
velocity of waves.
Indicate by draw and label format.
 characteristics
of
the
 What is wave velocity?
electromagnetic spectrum (include a
 What is frequency?
range of wavelengths, frequency,
 What is wavelength?
energy, and propagation without a
 What are the parts of the
medium).
electromagnetic spectrum?
 Sound and light waves are related
 The electromagnetic spectrum
in terms of reflection, interference
consists of what type of wave?
refraction, and defraction.
 How is the electromagnetic
 the frequency and the pitch changes
spectrum broken down according to
of sound due to the Doppler effect.
decreasing wavelength? (Increasing
frequency)
 What is reflection?
 What is interference?
 What is refraction?
 What is defraction?
 What is pitch?
 How does the Doppler effect
change the frequency of the waves
and the pitch of the sound?
Vocabulary
Amplitude
Frequency
Rarefaction
Transverse wave
Acoustics
Eardrum
Music
Sonar
Cathode-ray tube
Compressional wave
Interference
Refraction
Trough
Cochlea
Echolocation
Overtone
Sound quality
Electromagnetic wave
Crest
Medium
Resonance
Wave
Decibel
Intensity
Pitch
Ultrasound
Gamma rays
Infrared waves
Radio waves
X rays
Incandescent light
Opaque
Microwaves
Transceiver
Coherent light
Incoherent light
Pigment
Photon
Ultraviolet waves
Fluorescent light
Index of refraction
Polarized light
Translucent
Convex lens
Focal point
Real image
Virtual image
Transparent
Convex mirror
Microscope
Reflecting telescope
Concave lens
Cornea
Optical axis
Refracting telescope
Diffraction
Period
Standing wave
Wavelength
Doppler effect
Loudness
Resonator
Carrier wave
Global Positioning
System
Radiant energy
Visible light
Holography
Mirage
Total internal
reflection
Concave mirror
Focal length
Plan mirror
Retina
Students will know… / Students will be able to…
 Recognize that waves carry energy but not matter.
 Define mechanical waves.
 Compare and contrast transverse waves and compressional waves.
 Define wavelength, frequency, period, and amplitude.
 Describe the relationship between frequency and wavelength.
 Explain how a wave’s energy and amplitude are related.
 Calculate wave speed.
 State the law of reflection.
 Explain why waves change direction when they travel from one material to
another.
 Compare and contrast refraction and diffraction.
 Describe how waves interfere with each other.
 Explain how sound travels through different mediums.
 Identify what influences the speed of sound.
 Describe how the ear enables you to hear.
 Recognize how amplitude, intensity, and loudness are related.
 Describe how sound intensity is measured and what levels can damage
hearing.
 Explain the relationship between frequency and pitch.
 Discuss the Doppler effect.
 Distinguish between noise and music.
 Describe why different instruments have different sound qualities.
 Recognize some of the factors that determine how a concert hall or
theater is designed.
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Discuss the uses of sonar.
Explain how ultrasound is useful in medicine.
Describe how electric and magnetic fields form electromagnetic waves.
Explain how vibrating charges produce electromagnetic waves.
Describe properties of electromagnetic waves.
Describe the waves in the different regions of the electromagnetic
spectrum.
Compare the properties of different electromagnetic waves.
Identify uses for different types of electromagnetic waves.
Distinguish between amplitude modulation and frequency modulation.
Describe how light waves interact with matter.
*Describe the difference between light color and pigment color.
*Explain how incandescent and fluorescent lightbulbs work.
*Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of different lighting devices.
*Explain how a laser produces coherent light.
*Describe various uses of lasers.
Describe how an image is formed in there types of mirrors.
Identify examples and uses of plane, concave, and convex mirrors.
Compare refracting and reflecting telescopes.
South Carolina Academic Standards:
PS-1:
The student will demonstrate an understanding of how scientific inquiry and
technological design, including mathematical analysis, can be used
appropriately to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.
PS-7.1
PS-7.2
PS-7.3
PS-7.4
PS-7.5
PS-7.6
PS-7.7
Illustrate ways that the energy of waves is transferred by interaction with matter
(including transverse and longitudinal/compressional waves).
Compare the nature and properties of transverse and longitudinal/compressional
mechanical waves.
Summarize characteristics of waves (including displacement, frequency, period,
amplitude, wavelength, and velocity as well as the relationships among these
characteristics).
Use the formulas v = f  and v = d/t to solve problems related to the velocity of
waves.
Summarize the characteristics of the electromagnetic spectrum (including range
of wavelengths, frequency, energy, and propagation without a medium).
Summarize reflection and interference of both sound and light waves and the
refraction and diffraction of light waves.
Explain the Doppler effect conceptually in terms of the frequency of the waves
and the pitch of the sound.
Interim Assessment (formative)
 Formal/Informal Pre-assessment
 Class Participation
 Teacher Observations
 Graphic Organizer
 Notebooks
 Exit Slips
 Writing assignments
 Laboratory assignments
 Group Work
 Quizzes
 Tests
 Projects
Key Criteria (to meet the standard/rubric)
See rubric guide for the following rubrics:
 Brochure
 Poster
 PowerPoint