Education Technology


Sound and Waves

Activity Overview

In this lesson, students change characteristics of a sine wave to discover the frequency, amplitude, and phase shift. They will also use these properties to see the effect of adding two waves to form dampening and beats.

Objectives

  • Students will construct an understanding of frequency, amplitude, and phase shift.
  • Students will develop the understanding of the sine function and how it relates to sound waves.
  • Students will simulate the addition of two waves and observe that this addition forms sound dampening and beats.

Vocabulary

  • amplitude
  • beats
  • dampening
  • frequency
  • compression
  • notes
  • phase shift
  • sound
  • waves

About the Lesson

In this lesson students change characteristics of a sine wave to discover the frequency, amplitude, and phase shift. They will also use these properties to see the effect of adding two waves to form dampening and beats.
As a result students will be able to:

  • Define, describe, and use the different characteristics of waves (frequency, amplitude, phase shift)
  • Recognize and explain the result of adding two waves together.
  • Explain the effect phase shift has on the sum wave.
  • Recognize and explain the effect frequency and phase shift have on the sum wave.