This video introduces explains the difference between the phase difference of a wave (measured in degrees) and the path difference of a wave (measured in metres of fraction of a wavelength). 

When waves are coherent and have a path difference that is a multiple of λ, then the interference is constructive. ...

This video begins by asking the question, “why do we see rainbow colours on the surface of a DVD?”.

Light from a laser is shone through a diffraction grating to demonstrate a diffraction pattern.  The terms 0^th, 1^st and 2^nd order maxima are introduced and explained using the...

This video recaps on the idea that light sent along an optical fibre requires total internal reflection for it to progress along its length. It explains that information is sent as a series of on – off signals.  However, if light rays take different paths they can be modally dispersed, and this can degrade the...

This video models refraction using a vehicle travelling from a concrete surface to a grass surface and shows how the forward wheel slows and so the vehicle changes direction.

A diagram is then constructed to develop Snell’s law, i.e., the angle of incidence (from air) is proportional to the angle of...

This video explains how two waves passing through each other interact through the process of superposition.

The resultant interference of waves at phase differences of 0⁰ or 360⁰ is constructive, they are additive.  Whereas phase differences of 180⁰ produce destructive interference, i.e., they cancel each...

This video begins by showing a demonstration of total internal reflection (TIR) through a semi-circular glass block.

It develops an understanding of TIR by showing that as the angle of incidence (θ_i) increases so too does the angle of refraction (θ_r).  Eventually, as  θ_i is...

This video shows how interference from two sound wave sources can produce both constructive (louder sound) and destructive (softer sound) interference patterns.  A demonstration using microwaves reinforces this idea. Microwaves are generated and passed through a double slit.  The resultant interference of waves is...

The speed of a wave in a solid is investigated in this video. A signal generator and length of elastic are used to measure the frequency and wavelength of a wave, which allows wave speed to be calculated. 

A ripple tank is used in this video to calculate the speed of a water wave by measuring the distance and time. This is a GCSE Combined Science and Physics Required Practical.

A ripple tank is used in this video to calculate the speed of a water wave by measuring the frequency and wavelength. This is a GCSE Combined Science and Physics Required Practical.

These diagnostic questions and response activities (contained in the zip file) support students in being able to:

• Recognise that as a transverse wave travels forward, the medium through which it travels does not.
• Describe the movement of each ‘particle’ of a transverse wave as the wave moves...

This resource from Defence Dynamics looks at waves and the electromagnetic spectrum. The resources are split into two student activity sheets.

The ...

This booklet contains a range of suggested teaching activities and contexts for teaching about waves at A level. Curriculum links include  progressive, longitudinal, transverse, stationary, waves, intensity, electromagnetic spectrum, properties of waves, refraction, total internal reflection, superposition,...