Comparing two sine waves of different amplitudes, this video shows that the intensity of a wave is proportional to the square of the amplitude.  The intensity is given I = ^P/_A, i.e., power per cross-sectional area.

In the simulation students can watch a string vibrate in slow motion. You can wiggle the end of the string and make waves, or adjust the frequency and amplitude of an oscillator. The simulation also allows you to adjust the damping and tension.

Sample learning outcomes include:

*Discuss wave...

Does light behave like a wave, a stream of particles or both? Scientists at the University of Oxford are taking advantage of the particle-wave duality of light to carry out work developing exciting new technologies.

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This video explains how a Ruben’s tube can be used to demonstrate standings waves, nodes and antinodes (sound).  The flow of flammable gas is affected by sound waves (vibrations). A 2D model of a Ruben’s tube is used to demonstrate a series of standing waves.

This resource provides a set of videos and a practical investigation aimed at supporting working scientifically in the classroom and relating science to real world experiences. In the first video Professor Brian Cox joins a teacher to find out how to set up and run an investigation to find out what affects the...

The aim of this Children’s Learning in Science Project (CLIS) research study was to describe aspects of secondary school students’ ideas about light and to set these in the context of results from other studies in the area and of the history of ideas about light and...

This resource covers the parts of the eye and their function in enabling people to see objects. They are designed for teachers working with pupils who are new to English. The resources include a set of flashcards covering the key words and a series of...

This activity investigates what conditions plants need to grow and why lack of light alters plant growth. It is part of a larger resource which looks at plants at primary level, ...

This Nuffield Primary Science Teachers’ Guide for teaching the Light topic, to students aged 5-7, is divided into three chapters:

*Chapter 1: Planning - showing how to use the resources to plan a topic and, in the...

This Nuffield Primary Science Teachers’ Guide for teaching the Light topic, to students aged 7-12, is divided into five chapters: *Chapter 1: Introduction - covering useful strategies, the SPACE approach and links to the National Curriculum *Chapter 2: Planning - using the resources to plan topics with students'...

This booklet is part of the ‘Innovations in Practical Work’ series published by the Gatsby Science Enhancement Programme (SEP). Electromagnetic waves show a huge range in terms of frequency and wavelength, but the same basic principles underlie wave behaviour:...

A Catalyst article about how engineers use their understanding of sound waves to develop highly realistic sound systems for films, music systems and computer games. The same ideas can help people with eyesight and hearing problems. Sound waves are affected by their surroundings and the article examines this along...