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8.2 Sound Waves

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8.2 Sound Waves

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In this unit, students develop ideas related to how sounds are produced, how they travel through media, and how they affect objects at a distance. Their investigations are motivated by trying to account for a perplexing anchoring phenomenon — a truck is playing loud music in a parking lot and the windows of a building across the parking lot visibly shake in response to the music.

They make observations of sound sources to revisit the K–5 idea that objects vibrate when they make sounds. They figure out that patterns of differences in those vibrations are tied to differences in characteristics of the sounds being made. They gather data on how objects vibrate when making different sounds to characterize how a vibrating object’s motion is tied to the loudness and pitch of the sounds they make. Students also conduct experiments to support the idea that sound needs matter to travel through, and they will use models and simulations to explain how sound travels through matter at the particle level.

Subject:: Physical Science; Physics
Material Type:: Activity/Lab; Assessment; Data Set; Diagram/Illustration; Lesson Plan; Reading; Simulation; Student Guide; Unit of Study
Author:: Boston College Susan Kowalski; BSCS Science Learning Gail Housman; David Wooster Middle School Sara Ryner; Ideal Elementary School Jamie Noll; North Shore Country Day School Michael Novak; Northwestern University Chris Newlan; Northwestern University Tyler Scaletta; Renee Affolter; United Junior High School Katie Van Horne
Date Added:: 08/05/2020

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AP Physics

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Relevant material from MIT's introductory courses to support students as they study and educators as they teach the AP Physics curriculum.

Subject:: Education; Physics
Material Type:: Full Course
Provider:: MIT
Provider Set:: MIT OpenCourseWare
Author:: Belcher, John; Chakrabarty, Deepto; Dourmashkin, Peter; Feld, Michael; Fisher, Peter; Hudson, Eric; Joannopoulos, John; Katsavounidis, Erik; Knuteson, Bruce; Kowalski, Stanley; Lewin, Walter; Litster, J. David; Pritchard, David; Roland, Gunther; Scholberg, Kate; Sciolla, Gabriella; Shaw, Michael; Stephans, George; Surrow, Bernd
Date Added:: 07/04/2008

Acoustic Mirrors

Acoustic Mirrors

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Students play and record the “Mary Had a Little Lamb” song using musical instruments and analyze the intensity of the sound using free audio editing and recording software. Then they use hollow Styrofoam half-spheres as acoustic mirrors (devices that reflect and focus sound), determine the radius of curvature of the mirror and calculate its focal length. Students place a microphone at the acoustic mirror focal point, re-record their songs, and compare the sound intensity on plot spectrums generated from their recordings both with and without the acoustic mirrors. A worksheet and KWL chart are provided.

Subject:: Mathematics; Geometry; Physical Science; Physics
Material Type:: Activity/Lab
Author:: Nick Breen; Steven C. Thedford
Date Added:: 08/11/2020

The Advantage of Machines

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The Advantage of Machines

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In this lesson, students learn about work as defined by physical science and see that work is made easier through the use of simple machines. Already encountering simple machines everyday, students will be alerted to their widespread uses in everyday life. This lesson serves as the starting point for the Simple Machines Unit.

Subject:: Engineering; Physics
Material Type:: Activity/Lab; Lesson Plan
Provider:: TeachEngineering
Provider Set:: TeachEngineering
Author:: Glen Sirakavit; Janet Yowell; Malinda Schaefer Zarske; Melissa Straten; Michael Bendewald
Date Added:: 09/18/2014

Aerodynamics of Viscous Fluids, Fall 2003

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Aerodynamics of Viscous Fluids, Fall 2003

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Boundary layers as rational approximations to the solutions of exact equations of fluid motion. Physical parameters influencing laminar and turbulent aerodynamic flows and transition. Effects of compressibility, heat conduction, and frame rotation. Influence of boundary layers on outer potential flow and associated stall and drag mechanisms. Numerical solution techniques and exercises. The major focus of 16.13 is on boundary layers, and boundary layer theory subject to various flow assumptions, such as compressibility, turbulence, dimensionality, and heat transfer. Parameters influencing aerodynamic flows and transition and influence of boundary layers on outer potential flow are presented, along with associated stall and drag mechanisms. Numerical solution techniques and exercises are included.

Subject:: Physics
Material Type:: Full Course
Provider:: MIT
Provider Set:: MIT OpenCourseWare
Author:: Merchant, Ali A.
Date Added:: 01/01/2003

Aeronautics and Astronautics

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Aeronautics and Astronautics

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These courses, produced by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, introduce the fundamental concepts and approaches of aerospace engineering, highlighted through lectures on aeronautics, astronautics, and design. MIT˘ďď_s Aerospace and Aeronautics curriculum is divided into three parts: Aerospace information engineering, Aerospace systems engineering, and Aerospace vehicles engineering. Visitors to this site will find undergraduate and graduate courses to fit all three of these areas, from Exploring Sea, Space, & Earth: Fundamentals of Engineering Design to Bio-Inspired Structures

Subject:: Engineering; Mathematics; Chemistry; Physics
Material Type:: Full Course
Provider:: MIT
Provider Set:: MIT OpenCourseWare
Date Added:: 03/17/2011

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Afterimage

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In this activity about light and perception, learners discover how a flash of light can create a lingering image called an "afterimage" on the retina of the eye. Learners will be surprised when they continue to see an image of a bright object after staring at it and looking away. Use this activity to introduce learners to principles of optics and perception as well as to explain why the full moon often appears larger when it is on the horizon than when it is overhead. This lesson guide also includes a few extensions like how to take "afterimage photographs."

Subject:: Physics
Material Type:: Activity/Lab
Provider:: Exploratorium
Provider Set:: Science Snacks
Date Added:: 09/04/2019

All About Earth's Climate

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All About Earth's Climate

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In this informational text, elementary school readers learn about the difference between weather and climate and about components of the climate system. The text can be used to practice visualizing and other comprehension strategies. Available in K-2 and 3-5 grade bands and as an illustrated book as well as a text document, the story appears in the online magazine Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle.

Subject:: Arts and Humanities; Education; Reading Informational Text; Chemistry; Physics
Material Type:: Activity/Lab; Lesson Plan; Reading; Teaching/Learning Strategy
Provider:: Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology
Provider Set:: Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle
Author:: Jessica Fries-Gaither; National Science Foundation
Date Added:: 08/10/2020

Anti-Gravity Mirror

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Anti-Gravity Mirror

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In this demonstration, amaze learners by performing simple tricks using mirrors. These tricks take advantage of how a mirror can reflect your right side so it appears to be your left side. To make the effect more dramatic, cover the mirror with a cloth, climb onto the table, straddle the mirror, and then drop the cloth as you appear to "take off." This resource contains information about how this trick was applied during the making of the movie "Star Wars."

Subject:: Physics
Material Type:: Activity/Lab
Provider:: Exploratorium
Provider Set:: Science Snacks
Author:: California Department of Education; National Science Foundation; NEC Foundation of America; The Exploratorium
Date Added:: 09/04/2019

Anti-Sound Spring

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Anti-Sound Spring

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In this simple exploration, a coiled phone cord slows the motion of a wave so you can see how a single pulse travels and what happens when two traveling wave pulses meet in the middle.

Subject:: Physics
Material Type:: Activity/Lab
Provider:: Exploratorium
Provider Set:: Science Snacks
Date Added:: 09/04/2019

Antimatter Matters

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Antimatter Matters

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Antimatter, the charge reversed equivalent of matter, has captured the imaginations of science fiction fans for years as a perfectly efficient form of energy. While normal matter consists of atoms with negatively charged electrons orbiting positively charged nuclei, antimatter consists of positively charged positrons orbiting negatively charged anti-nuclei. When antimatter and matter meet, both substances are annihilated, creating massive amounts of energy. Instances in which antimatter is portrayed in science fiction stories (such as Star Trek) are examined, including their purposes (fuel source, weapons, alternate universes) and properties. Students compare and contrast matter and antimatter, learn how antimatter can be used as a form of energy, and consider potential engineering applications for antimatter.

Subject:: Engineering; Physics
Material Type:: Lesson Plan
Provider:: TeachEngineering
Provider Set:: TeachEngineering
Author:: Christine Hawthorne; Rachel Howser
Date Added:: 09/18/2014

Applied Geometric Algebra, Spring 2009

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Applied Geometric Algebra, Spring 2009

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Laszlo Tisza was Professor of Physics Emeritus at MIT, where he began teaching in 1941. This online publication is a reproduction the original lecture notes for the course "Applied Geometric Algebra" taught by Professor Tisza in the Spring of 1976. Over the last 100 years, the mathematical tools employed by physicists have expanded considerably, from differential calculus, vector algebra and geometry, to advanced linear algebra, tensors, Hilbert space, spinors, Group theory and many others. These sophisticated tools provide powerful machinery for describing the physical world, however, their physical interpretation is often not intuitive. These course notes represent Prof. Tisza's attempt at bringing conceptual clarity and unity to the application and interpretation of these advanced mathematical tools. In particular, there is an emphasis on the unifying role that Group theory plays in classical, relativistic, and quantum physics. Prof. Tisza revisits many elementary problems with an advanced treatment in order to help develop the geometrical intuition for the algebraic machinery that may carry over to more advanced problems. The lecture notes came to MIT OpenCourseWare by way of Samuel Gasster, '77 (Course 18), who had taken the course and kept a copy of the lecture notes for his own reference. He dedicated dozens of hours of his own time to convert the typewritten notes into LaTeX files and then publication-ready PDFs. You can read about his motivation for wanting to see these notes published in his Preface below. Professor Tisza kindly gave his permission to make these notes available on MIT OpenCourseWare.

Subject:: Algebra; Physics
Material Type:: Full Course
Provider:: MIT
Provider Set:: MIT OpenCourseWare
Author:: Tisza, L
Date Added:: 01/01/2009

Applied Nuclear Physics, Fall 2006

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Applied Nuclear Physics, Fall 2006

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Fundamentals of nuclear physics for engineering students. Basic properties of the nucleus and nuclear radiations. Elementary quantum mechanical calculations of bound-state energies and barrier transmission probability. Binding energy and nuclear stability. Interactions of charged particles, neutrons, and gamma rays with matter. Radioactive decays. Energetics and general cross-section behavior in nuclear reactions.

Subject:: Engineering; Physics
Material Type:: Full Course
Provider:: MIT
Provider Set:: MIT OpenCourseWare
Author:: Yip, Sidney
Date Added:: 01/01/2006

Archimedes' Principle, Pascal's Law and Bernoulli's Principle

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Archimedes' Principle, Pascal's Law and Bernoulli's Principle

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Students are introduced to Pascal's law, Archimedes' principle and Bernoulli's principle. Fundamental definitions, equations, practice problems and engineering applications are supplied. A PowerPoint® presentation, practice problems and grading rubric are provided.

Subject:: Engineering; Mathematics; Physics
Material Type:: Lesson Plan
Provider:: TeachEngineering
Provider Set:: TeachEngineering
Author:: Emily Sappington; Mila Taylor
Date Added:: 09/18/2014

Architects and Engineers

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Architects and Engineers

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Students explore the interface between architecture and engineering. In the associated hands-on activity, students act as both architects and engineers by designing and building a small parking garage.

Subject:: Architecture and Design; Engineering; Education; Physics
Material Type:: Activity/Lab; Lesson Plan
Provider:: TeachEngineering
Provider Set:: TeachEngineering
Author:: Abigail Watrous; Denali Lander; Janet Yowell; Katherine Beggs; Melissa Straten; Sara Stemler
Date Added:: 09/18/2014

Art in Engineering - Moving Art

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Art in Engineering - Moving Art

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Students learn how forces are used in the creation of art. They come to understand that it is not just bridge and airplane designers who are concerned about how forces interact with objects, but artists as well. As "paper engineers," students create their own mobiles and pop-up books, and identify and use the forces (air currents, gravity, hand movement) acting upon them.

Subject:: Engineering; Physics
Material Type:: Activity/Lab; Lesson Plan
Provider:: TeachEngineering
Provider Set:: TeachEngineering
Author:: Denise Carlson; Denise W. Carlson; Malinda Schaefer Zarske; Natalie Mach
Date Added:: 09/18/2014

The Art of Approximation in Science and Engineering: How to Whip Out Answers Quickly

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The Art of Approximation in Science and Engineering: How to Whip Out Answers Quickly

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The purpose of this learning video is to show students how to think more freely about math and science problems. Sometimes getting an approximate answer in a much shorter period of time is well worth the time saved. This video explores techniques for making quick, back-of-the-envelope approximations that are not only surprisingly accurate, but are also illuminating for building intuition in understanding science. This video touches upon 10th-grade level Algebra I and first-year high school physics, but the concepts covered (velocity, distance, mass, etc) are basic enough that science-oriented younger students would understand. If desired, teachers may bring in pendula of various lengths, weights to hang, and a stopwatch to measure period. Examples of in- class exercises for between the video segments include: asking students to estimate 29 x 31 without a calculator or paper and pencil; and asking students how close they can get to a black hole without getting sucked in.

Subject:: Engineering; Algebra; Numbers and Operations; Physics
Material Type:: Lecture
Provider:: MIT Learning International Networks Consortium
Provider Set:: M.I.T. Blossoms
Author:: Stephen M. Hou
Date Added:: 02/15/2018

Asthma & Physical Activity in the School

Asthma & Physical Activity in the School

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Newly revised in 2012! This easy-to-read booklet is perfect for teachers, coaches, and families who want to help students with asthma take part in sports and physical activities. Discusses how to help students control their asthma and follow an asthma action plan. Also explains how to manage asthma triggers, ensure students have access to their asthma medicines, recognize worsening asthma symptoms and take action, and modify activities based on a childs asthma status. Includes sample asthma action plans and information about using a peak flow meter, metered-dose inhaler, and dry powder inhaler.

Subject:: Physics
Material Type:: Reading; Teaching/Learning Strategy
Provider:: National Institutes of Health
Date Added:: 07/09/2020

Astrophysics II, Fall 2004

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Astrophysics II, Fall 2004

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Galactic dynamics: potential theory, orbits, collisionless Boltzmann equation, etc. Galaxy interactions. Groups and clusters; dark matter. Intergalactic medium; x-ray clusters. Active galactic nuclei: unified models, black hole accretion, radio and optical jets, etc. Homogeneity and isotropy, redshift, galaxy distance ladder. Newtonian cosmology. Roberston-Walker models and cosmography. Early universe, primordial nucleosynthesis, recombination. Cosmic microwave background radiation. Large-scale structure, galaxy formation.

Subject:: Astronomy; Physics
Material Type:: Full Course
Provider:: MIT
Provider Set:: MIT OpenCourseWare
Author:: Schechter, Paul
Date Added:: 01/01/2004

Astrophysics I, Spring 2006

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Astrophysics I, Spring 2006

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Size and time scales. Historical astronomy. Astronomical instrumentation. Stars: spectra and classification. Stellar structure equations and survey of stellar evolution. Stellar oscillations. Degenerate and collapsed stars; radio pulsars. Interacting binary systems; accretion disks, x-ray sources. Gravitational lenses; dark matter. Interstellar medium: HII regions, supernova remnants, molecular clouds, dust; radiative transfer; Jeans' mass; star formation. High-energy astrophysics: Compton scattering, bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation, cosmic rays. Galactic stellar distributions and populations; Oort constants; Oort limit; and globular clusters.

Subject:: Astronomy; Physics
Material Type:: Full Course
Provider:: MIT
Provider Set:: MIT OpenCourseWare
Author:: Chakrabarty, Deepto
Date Added:: 01/01/2006