Wave Properties & Types

ScienceWaves, Light & SoundAges 11–12

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

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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 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.

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Entire curriculum

1590 concepts · 8 subjects

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Teaching approaches

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1 approach

Selected Default Gakuva

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

Family records and proof options

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

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Learning resources

External links for extra practice. They do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.

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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