Physics Classroom
Waves - Case Studies
What can your class tell about a wave just by looking at it? Using a simulation, physics pupils work through a series of case studies to determine the effects of speed, frequency, and density on waves. Part of a larger playlist on waves...
K12 Reader
Waves & Currents
Challenge your young readers with a passage about physical science. After reading about sound waves and electric currents, kids answer five reading comprehension questions about what they have read.
Curated OER
Waves
Light waves and sound waves are the focus of this science instructional activity designed for 5th graders. Besides discovering how these waves travel, learners also discover the basic properties of waves, and analyze data tables and...
Curated OER
Wave Practice Problems
Physics scholars list the properties of waves and calculate the speed, wavelength, and frequency of waves. The worksheet is concise, but covers a variety of wave computational skills. The formatting is neat, but it does have small...
Acoustical Society of America
Anatomy of a Wave
Pair physical science learners up, and have one describe a transverse wave while the other blindly attempts to draw it. Then reveal an actual diagram and explain the different parts of the wave: crest, trough, wavelength. Though most of...
Physics Classroom
Wavelength
Physics class sure can have its ups and downs! The first in a series of seven interactives from the Waves and Sound series introduces young learners to the concept of wavelength. Scholars work through the interactive to discover the...
Physics Classroom
Name That Harmonic: Strings
Don't string your class along! Physics scholars discover the fascinating forces behind the music of stringed instruments using an interactive. From a series covering sounds and waves, the interactive asks users to identify nodes and...
Physics Classroom
Name That Harmonic: Open-End air Columns
Ever wonder what really goes on inside a clarinet? Show your young scientists the physics of open-end air columns through an easy-to-use interactive. Learners examine the features of standing waves and calculate frequency and length in a...
Curated OER
Earthquakes: Sixth Grade Lesson Plans and Activities
Young seismologists learn more about plate tectonics with a set of pre-lab, lab, and post-lab lessons plans on earthquakes. After exploring how waves travel through various materials, sixth graders record their observations and draw...
Curated OER
Understanding Waves
Students examine the physical properties of waves to explore the word crest and trough. They use toys to study waves in air, water and light.
Curated OER
What Wavelength Was That?
A combination of informative text, photos, and graphics comprise this sharp show on electromagnetic radiation. Some slides mention hands-on activities for demonstrating concepts, so if you want to include them you will need to figure out...
Curated OER
Applied Science - Physics (5A) Pre Lab
Fifth graders look at different types of waves. For this wave lesson, 5th graders find the difference and similarities of electromagnetic and physical waves. They review the components of waves such as crest, trough, wavelength, and wave...
Curated OER
The Wonderful World of Waves (Wave Basics)
Students define amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and period, calculate period given frequency, and calculate frequency given period, define crest and trough and locate both on diagram of wave, differentiate between latitudinal and...
Curated OER
Waves
Students identify the different parts of a wave. In this physics lesson, students explain how animals communicate using sound waves. They discuss the effect of Navy's sonar on dolphins and whales.
Curated OER
Color at Light Speed
Rainbow science anyone? learners put the color specturm, frequency, light waves, and wavelengths into a light speed context. They use algebraic formulas to determine the speed of each light wave length. A great way to connect math and...
Curated OER
Reflection and Refraction
What is a prism? A place for light waves that commit minor refractions! The thorough resource includes three hands-on investigations covering light reflection and refraction; mirrors, lenses, and images; and optical systems. Subject...
Curated OER
Properties of Waves
Third graders observe and investigate wave properties and compare the properties of particles and waves. They fill a pie pan half full with water, place a toothpick in the center of the pie pan, then drop a marble into the pan and...
Curated OER
Energy Motion in the Ocean
Students explore the wave energy that is generated and transferred in the ocean. Through the use video and the Internet, students explore the aspects of a wave and how its energy affects the ecology of the seashore.
Curated OER
Sound
In this physics worksheet, middle schoolers use the clues given on the bottom of the sheet to complete the crossword puzzle on sound. There are 18 clues to solve in the puzzle.
Curated OER
Light and Optics
In this science learning exercise, students look for the words to fill in the crossword puzzle that is focused upon the concepts of light and optics.
Curated OER
Physics and the Quantum Mechanical Model
In this physics worksheet, students review vocabulary terms and key equations associated with the quantum mechanical model. Students apply the quantum theory to explain the photoelectric effect. This worksheet has 5 true or false, 12...
Curated OER
Chandra Spies the Longest Sound Wave in the Universe!
In this black hole learning exercise, students use an x-ray image and a sound waves image to determine the size and the wavelength of the sound wave. This learning exercise has 3 problems to solve.
Virginia Department of Education
Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Lead your class in a fun-filled team activity that encourages collaboration while learning important concepts. Pupils actively participate in a discussion on the experimental design and the role of mirrors. They perform group activities...
Curated OER
The Cigar Box Guitar
Students correlate string tension with sound pitch. They describe how string mass (thickness) effects sound pitch and demonstrate an understanding of the physics of the acoustic guitar. They see that sound is produced by vibrations.