We can define a wave as something that carries energy from one place to another without the transfer of physical matter. To understand this definition it is useful to think about two different ways of feeling heat. In a shower, heat is created by an energy exchange inside the storage tank or shower unit and … Continue reading Key Facts: Waves
DC and AC Electricity Pt2: Seeing the Difference
We commonly use meters to make measurements in electric circuits but meters are relatively simple devices and if the property we are measuring changes over a short period of time then a meter will not show this clearly (if at all). But a different instrument, the oscilloscope, has the power to reveal such changes in … Continue reading DC and AC Electricity Pt2: Seeing the Difference
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: note-taking task
One of the most important study skills is note-taking. Some students complain that they do too much writing so in the Waves topic we'll be trying out a different approach based on Cornell Notes. The method was covered in class but I've included a screen-grab here to remind you what it looks like - but … Continue reading Waves: note-taking task
Mr Tarrant's physbang 'blog 