Given that electromagnetic (EM) waves all have various things in common*, it makes sense to put them in order. We do this using their wavelength or frequency: it doesn't matter which one we choose because as wavelength increases, frequency decreases (and vice versa). Putting the different types of EM waves in order creates a spectrum … Continue reading The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Experimental Physics
At the risk of being controversial, I would like to suggest that experiments are much more powerful than theories because experiments provide the evidence to prove whether or not a theory is correct. Technically, you can't prove that a theory is correct: you can only prove that it works for the particular case that you … Continue reading Experimental Physics
Electromagnetic (EM) Waves
Electromagnetic (EM) waves are a family of different types of waves that have some specific properties in common; they all propagate (travel) at the same speedthey are all transverse wavesthey can all propagate through free space without the need for any medium The most common examples of EM wave are the various colours of visible … Continue reading Electromagnetic (EM) Waves
Hubble’s best pictures
The Hubble Space Telescope will reach its 30th birthday on 24th April 2020. To celebrate this milestone, the Physics World website is counting down its Top 10 Hubble Images. At number 10... Hubble's image of the Horsehead Nebula, which was announced on 15th April, can be viewed by clicking here. At number 9... Hubble's image … Continue reading Hubble’s best pictures
On your marks, get set…
School is about to resume (in the online sense) and the chances are that things will have to be done remotely for some time so it's really important that you prepare yourself to succeed in the learning that is to come. With that in mind, please read the suggestions listed in this document. Before Easter … Continue reading On your marks, get set…
Physicists do silly things!
We all like to think of physicists as being really smart - and mostly they are - but sometimes a few of them do silly things. After all, we're only human... Physics World, the magazine of the Institute of Physics (IoP) has published an online article recounting a few examples of physicists' sillyness. You can … Continue reading Physicists do silly things!
Introduction to Flipgrid
Great though this platform is, we can't communicate directly with each other so I've created a new area where we can do just that. It's on a service called Flipgrid and you will find it at flipgrid.com/physbang. Please log-in using your school email address (I've set it that way so that the area is private) … Continue reading Introduction to Flipgrid
Sound: A Quick Recap
Sound is the most common example of a longitudinal wave (if you need a second example in an examination, mention seismic P waves from earthquakes). It is therefore important that you can describe and explain sound waves. This includes how the human ear works (in physics terms) and how microphones and loudspeakers link sound to … Continue reading Sound: A Quick Recap
Waves (w/b 30th March)
Okay everybody, this is where things start to get serious! We now know there will be no school until at least the start of May so you must get on with your studies or you will be seriously disadvantaged in next year's GCSE examinations. The current Y11 classes don't have exams but that won't apply … Continue reading Waves (w/b 30th March)
Speed – A Crash Course
In view of the current school closure, this post has been created to summarise the learning steps that you have already followed to gain a firm understanding of speed in terms of distance and time. You should work through this page to check and improve your knowledge. The key learning outcomes are; The units of … Continue reading Speed – A Crash Course
Mr Tarrant's physbang 'blog 