Sound travels at different speeds in different materials. We often think only of sound moving through the air (a gas) but in fact it also moves through both liquids and solids. Note that there is a difference between sound moving through a liquid and waves that can be seen on the surface of a liquid. … Continue reading Speed of Sound in an Iron Bar
Speed of Water Waves
For hundreds of years, water waves have been used to understand wave behaviour in general. This is understandable given that water waves are a natural phenomenon that can also be created artificially and studied in the lab. On the simplest level, a stone thrown into the middle of a pond will create waves that extend … Continue reading Speed of Water Waves
Thermal Equilibrium
Any object that has a constant temperature is in a state of thermal equilibrium. This means the rate at which energy is transferred to the object is exactly equal to the rate at which energy is transferred from the object. In the context of electromagnetic radiation, we can state that the rate at which the … Continue reading Thermal Equilibrium
Light and Heat
It is obvious to say that hot objects emit (give off) both visible light (a glow) and heat (that we can feel but not actually see). This is true of bonfires, light-bulbs and even our Sun. The connection between heat and light is taken completely for granted in everyday life: the glow of a hot … Continue reading Light and Heat
Six Impossible Things
Most of the physics you learn at school hasn't changed for hundreds of years. It is important stuff because we know that it works and it underpins a lot of the modern world. But that doesn't mean it is right. This is the point that is made in John Gribbin's new book, Six Impossible Things. … Continue reading Six Impossible Things
Can you beat 49/50?
Doing a test may not be your idea of a cool holiday activity but CGP (the publisher of your revision guide) has just released a series of free online GCSE tests that I highly recommend. You can access the tests at https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/resources/free-gcse-science-10-minute-tests. On the landing page, select Separate Science then choose Physics. You will have … Continue reading Can you beat 49/50?
Check your Knowledge
The ability to recall key facts and the relationships between those facts is an important part of learning in any context. As we reach the end of the two modules covering Waves and the Electromagnetic Spectrum it is important that you check how much you can remember of the content that has been covered. To … Continue reading Check your Knowledge
Representing Waves
Waves on water are very familiar, especially here in Jersey, but to analyse waves properly we need an instrument that offers suitable measurement features. The instrument that we use is called a Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO). You have seen sound waves on a CRO screen in the lab and you can revisit this learning online … Continue reading Representing Waves
Observing Waves
Although human vision relies on visible light, we can't actually see light itself. Physicists have therefore modelled the behaviour of light using waves that can be seen, especially water waves. In the lab, we would be able to observe this using a ripple tank but you can currently experience this experiment from home using resources … Continue reading Observing Waves
EMS Short Study Course
NASA has created an excellent self-contained short study course that covers the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) from an astronomy perspective. This resource therefore has double value for GCSE Physics as it supports learning across the topics of both waves and space. The course comprises four introductory sections, eight units on parts of the electromagnetic spectrum and … Continue reading EMS Short Study Course
Mr Tarrant's physbang 'blog 