Curriculum

Explore all 1,590 open curriculum concepts.

Advanced filters 2
ScienceWaves, Light & SoundAges 11–12

Wave Properties & Types

Describe waves in terms of amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and wave speed; distinguish transverse waves (oscillation perpendicular to direction of travel) from longitudinal waves (oscillation parallel); and use the wave equation v = fλ

Teach this topic
Share and support

Teaching Table

Set out your lesson

Practise the bounded task in Wave Properties & Types; see exact limits before inferring broader coverage.

Activity

Multiply/divide and read a labelled axis; recognise metres and seconds.

Policy

Exact directed source edges retained; earlier authorship is not learner attainment.

Materials
  • These supplied stage cards

  • Scrap paper and pencil; oral/pointing response where appropriate

Sequence
  • Read readiness and decide on support without treating prerequisite authoring as learner readiness.

  • Open Show first and explain its model.

  • Use Guided Try with support and its separate adult key.

  • Close Show and guided keys before Try, unless this Try is explicitly supported.

  • Reflect on an actual attempt, including help used.

No Printer

Use the supplied screen cards; copying the exact task to paper is optional, not required.

Privacy

Use only invented scenarios and optional anonymous local notes. Do not request names, photos, family finances, medical data, accounts or uploads. Stop uncomfortable physical activity.

Use only invented scenarios and optional anonymous local notes. Do not request names, photos, family finances, medical data, accounts or uploads. Stop uncomfortable physical activity.

Use the complete materials on screen or print only the current sheet. Keep adult guidance out of learner view. Retain an earlier model only when the current step supplies it as context.

Teaching limits and safe use

These are finite task opportunities, not proof of mastery. Record what was attempted and what support was used.

  • Idealised wave only; no wave experiment or measured frequency. Curves depict spatial shape, not particle paths through space.

Use only invented scenarios and optional anonymous local notes. Do not request names, photos, family finances, medical data, accounts or uploads. Stop uncomfortable physical activity.

Share teaching feedbackContinue to your family plan
Family records and proof options

Keep a record of your learning

Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.

Learning resources

Reviewed external links that reinforce this concept. They do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.

No reviewed resources for this concept yet.

The teaching approach above still stands. Curated practice links will appear here as the shelf fills.

Check understanding

  • Labels a wave diagram with amplitude, wavelength, crest, and trough
  • Distinguishes transverse and longitudinal waves and gives an example of each
  • Uses v = fλ to calculate wave speed, frequency, or wavelength given the other two
  • Explains what happens to wavelength if frequency increases while wave speed stays constant
“If your child was asked to describe a wave and how fast it travels, could they sketch one, label the wavelength and amplitude, and use the wave equation to work out speed from the frequency and wavelength?”

Curriculum record

Type
Conceptual
Subject
Science
Domain
Waves, Light & Sound
Age range
Ages 11–12

Standards

ngss-ms:MS-PS4-1uk-nc-2013:KS3.Sci.Phys.Waves.1uk-nc-2013:KS3.Sci.Phys.Waves.2