By the end of this section, you will be able to describe various characteristics associated with a wave and differentiate between transverse and longitudinal waves.

In outer space there is utter silence. There are no sounds of traffic jams or thunderstorms or crashing waves. No buzzing bees or babies crying. Just silence. In this experiment, you will discover why empty space is void of sound.

How light waves demonstrate their wave nature by reflection, refraction, and diffraction.

Here is a large collection of simple science class activities for understanding the physics of light.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students explore frequency and amplitude in terms of wave characteristics, and learn how the frequency and period of a wave are related.

In this project, you will investigate the physics of standing waves on guitar strings. You will learn about the different modes (i.e., patterns) of vibration that can be produced on a string, and you will figure out how to produce the...

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students investigate behaviors of waves, including interference, reflection, refraction, and diffraction.

This physics tutorial attempts to explain the wave equation in a three-part example problem.

Students examine how waves are described in a manner that allows us to understand their basic nature and qualities.

Students are introduced to the concept of frequency as it relates to periodic wave motion.

Through illustrated examples, video clips, and practice problems, students explore what happens to waves at the boundary of different mediums.

This resource explores how vibrating objects produce sound waves. The site contains information and an animation.

Kids learn about the behavior of light as a wave in the science of physics including reflection, refraction, and diffraction.

In this thorough lesson, nodes and antinodes are explained and compared to crests and troughs. A "Check Your Understanding," set of questions is included at the end of the lesson with answers.

"How Do We Know Light Behaves as a Wave?" An answer is provided in this discussion of the polarization of light and the use of Polaroid filters in sunglasses. The four methods discussed on this page are: polarization by transmission,...

With sample data, equations, and practice problems, students explore the concept of wave speed.

This lab is designed to allow students to look at the factors affecting the angle at which constructive interference occurs for waves passing through a two slit diffraction grating. This video helps explain the problem:...

Light is an example of an electromagnetic wave. Electromagnetic waves can travel through the vacuum of interstellar space. They do not depend on an external medium-unlike a mechanical wave such as a sound wave which must travel through...

Kids learn about the behavior of waves in the science of physics including reflection, refraction, diffraction, polarization, absorption, and interference.

Kids learn about the properties waves in the science of physics including amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period, and speed.

This high school physics lesson focuses on the application of the Doppler effect to sound. Discusses what the Doppler effect is, offers examples of its occurrence, and explains what shock waves and sonic boom are.

The energy transport phenomenon and amplitude are explored in this lesson. Questions are found at the end of the lesson to check understanding of the concepts presented.

The production of a standing wave in a string is presented and discussed in this site. Exceptional diagrams are accompanied by thorough explanation and mathematical analysis to explain the various modes of vibrations.

All waves will reflect and refract in the right circumstances. The reflection and refraction of light explain how people see images, color and even optical illusions. This tutorial discusses each concept and presents an experiment to try...