Unit 4: Waves and Oscillations

This Nuffield Advanced Physics Unit covered topic of about waves and oscillations. In the form and order suggested, it was intended to suit students who have been through the work on waves in the  Nuffield O-level Physics course, or equivalent work in other courses. In particular, the ripple tank studies suggested in Nuffield O-level Physics, Teachers' Guide III, chapter 1, and Guide to experiments III, experiment 4, were essential background; as was a first acquaintance with the wave properties of light. With such students in mind, Part One of this Unit began with invisible waves, and developed out of experiments on superposition and on the speed of the waves.

Contents of the Students’ book

To the student

Summary of Unit 4

Questions Part One: Waves of many sorts

Part Two: Mechanical waves

Part Three: Mechanical oscillations

Answers

The Severn Bridge

Mathematical models in physics

Textbooks and further reading

Information, formulae, and data

Experiments suggested for the Unit

4.1 Superposition of waves

4.2 Infra-red and ultra-violet radiation

4.3 Measurement of the speed of light

4.4 Measurement of the speed of microwaves

4.5 Mechanical waves

4.6 Longitudinal wave on a wave model made of trolleys and springs

4.7 Speed of sound in a metal rod

4.8 Testing other wave speed expressions

4.9 What is a clock?