Describing waves - types of wave

3. Longitudinal waves

Required Resources

• Slides 11-15
• Student Worksheet 3

Delivery

• Episode 3 is structured similarly to Episode 2 though giving consideration to longitudinal wave types.
• Again, ask students to label the diagram on Student Worksheet 3 and discuss the information and examples in the slides to ensure full understanding.
• Ask students to volunteer some comparisons between transverse and longitudinal waves. These may be features that they hold in common or that differentiate them.

Differentiation

Lower Ability:

Draw up a summary table of example transverse and longitudinal waves.

Ask students to split into groups of 5 and to physically impersonate the motion of a sound wave.

Higher Ability:

Invite students to draw up a comparative table of the properties of transverse and longitudinal waves. If students are already familiar with wave patterns (i.e. reflection, absorption and refraction) emphasise that both wave types share the same behaviours in this regard.