Resources by Institute of Physics (IOP)

Episode 315: The Inverse Square Law

In this learning episode, produced by the Institute of Physics, students investigate how the intensity of radiation decreases with distance from the source.

The activities include:
* demonstration and discussion on how radiation spreads
* worked example to illustrate thinking in proportions...

Episode 316: Preparation for Reflection and Refraction Topic

These activities, from the Institute of Physics, give an overview of reflection and refraction. The emphasis is on an interpretation in terms of waves. Applications, particularly those involving total internal reflection, are considered.

The series of learning episodes include:

Episode 317:...

Episode 317: Reflection and Refraction of Waves

This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, contains activities in which students look at reflection, refraction and Snell's law.

Through discussion, demonstration and practical experiments, students look at:
* reflection and refraction with a ripple tank
* the 'marching soldiers'...

Episode 318: Total Internal Reflection

Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode helps students to observe total internal reflection (TIR) as a consequence of refraction. Students use a semi-circular block to observe TIR and see how a fibre optic can be used to transmit information.

The activities include:
* ray tracing...

Episode 319: Preparation for Superposition of Waves Topic

This series of learning episodes, from the Institute of Physics, looks at how waves add together by superposition. It follows a 'conceptual approach' by looking at superposition itself, followed by interference fringes and then diffraction.

The episodes in this topic are:

Episode 320:...

Episode 320: Superposition

This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, introduces the basic idea of superposition of waves, explaining what happens when two or more waves meet.

The activities include:
• recapping students’ knowledge and understanding of waves
• demonstration of waves using a rope
•...

Episode 321: Interference Patterns

This learning episode from the Institute of Physics covers the constructive and destructive interference of waves.

Through discussion, student experiments and teacher demonstrations, students look at:
* simple interference of waves
* waves from two sound sources
* demonstration of Young's...

Episode 322: Diffraction Gratings

In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students look at different light sources through diffraction gratings. Using this system, students measure the wavelength of a laser and derive the grating formula.

The activities include:
* looking through gratings
* deriving the grating...

Episode 323: Diffraction

In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students observe diffraction using a ripple tank or laser.

The activities include:
* simple ways to observe diffraction
* demonstration of diffraction using a ripple tank or laser
* deriving the formula for minima in the diffraction...

Episode 324: Stationary or Standing Waves

In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students look at standing waves in musical instruments and measure their wavelength. Microwaves are used to estimate the speed of light.

The activities include:
* demonstrating waves in a rope
* how superposition results in standing waves...