Unit 4: Waves and Sound

     No matter what type of wave we will study, you'll find that it's in the nature of a wave to transport energy.  Earthquakes, music and visible light are all examples of different waves that move energy from one place to another.  Whether you want to study waves in water or those that are emitted from your vocal cords, you'll always start with one thing: a vibrating object.  For those of you who enjoy music (I'm sure that's all of you), appreciation of the physics of sound will enhance your listening experience.

Suggested timeframe: 3 weeks

Big Ideas:
1. Waves transport energy.
2. Sound is a longitudinal mechanical wave.
3. Sounds are usually combinations of waves.
4. All waves exhibit reflection and refraction phenomena.