From the Institute of Physics, this learning episode introduces the idea that vibrations can give rise to disturbances travelling outwards, i.e. to progressive waves. This illustrates some of the basic properties of waves. The activities include: • investigating transverse and longitudinal waves in a spring •...

In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students interpret graphs of waves to understand concepts such as wavelength, frequency and phase.

The activities in this episode include:
• plotting displacement and drawing longitudinal waves
• considering phase
• understanding...

This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, help students to develop their idea of electromagnetic radiation and polarisation. The basic ideas are developed through demonstrations and experiments. The approach is non-mathematical. The activities include: * using polarising filters to observe polarisation...

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...

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'...

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...

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
•...

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...

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...

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...

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...

This learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, introduces field strength and potential energy for electric fields. Comparisons with gravitational fields are also made.

The activities include:
* discussion of field strength
* worked examples on field strength
* discussion about...

Produced by the Institute of Physics, this learning episode uses demonstrations, experiments and questions to help students learn about electromagnetic fields. These consider their strength and direction.

The activities include:
• demonstrating the field around a permanent magnet
• field...

In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, students look at how a magnetic field can be quantified by measuring the force on a conductor. It illustrates how Flemming's left hand rule can be used to find the direction of the force. The activities include: 

• investigating the relationship...

Some common electromagnetic machines include motors, generators and transformers. In this learning episode, from the Institute of Physics, all three are described. Students discuss torque, back electromotive force (emf) and power. The activities include looking at:

• a model motor
• motor torque...