Wave unit reflection

How does the use and study of waves affect societal well-being?: The study of waves has many effects on different parts of our societal well being. It can effect our health, safety, and even our mental well being. By studying the electromagnetic spectrum, we have discovered many new ways to explore space, the human anatomy, cures, etc. Radio waves have helped us in many different waves. Without radio waves we wouldn't have any radio or TV, therefore information wouldn't be passed on or shared as easily, and people would be un- informed about important events or discoverys. Microwaves are a common household product that makes jobs around the home simpler. Infrared waves provide a source of heating, and are also used for military purposes. We have created infrared that gives us a clear view of how hot or cold something is. Visible light is the light that we see, and without it, we wouldn't be able to survive. Ultraviolet rays are the next wave in the electromagnetic spectrum, and one of the most important. Ultraviolet rays come from the sun, and these rays allow plants and animals to thrive. Without Ultraviolet rays, nothing would live. The next and most powerful wave in the electromagnetic spectrum is the Gamma Ray wave. By exploring Gamma rays, we have learned a lot about space. By harnessing the power of Gamma rays we have been able to look into the deepest and most complicated places in space such as black holes or supernovas.

By studying seismic and water waves, we have been able to make many breakthroughs in the study of earthquakes and tsunamis, which could potentially save millions of lives. We have discovered how fault lines work, and what the changes in them can mean. We know have divised warnings that give people enough time to flee or at least prepare for earthquakes and tsunamis, and we have also come up with many different ways to measure them, like the rector scale. By learning the effects of these waves, the way they travel, and different defense mechanisms against them, we can assure a safer community for citizens all over the world.

Sound waves are the last unit we studied. Sound is the reason for many of life's most beautiful components. With sound, we create music, laughing, and other beautiful noises. But sound is also the reason for many physical and mental illnesses. Noise pollution is a component of sound scientists are currently looking into. Noise occurs when a sound has no notified timbre and the pitch isn't pleasant. Noise pollution can be anything from the sound of a jackhammer in the streets to extremely loud music. It can result in hearing loss, changes in behavior, and mental illness from feeling powerless against it. We are currently looking into how to prevent noise pollution or at least lessen it. We have come up with things like headphones and soundproof glass that are the basics of what could stop noise pollution.

What did you learn during the unit? I learned many things throughout this unit. Not only did I learn that things like sound, light, and even earthquakes travel through waves, but I learned a lot about how they travel and what components effect the way they reach or effect us. At the beginning of this unit, I had no further knowledge about many of these waves or the way they traveled. At the begging, we learned that there were three basic types of waves, transverse, longitudinal, and combination waves. We learned that many waves need to travel through a medium, like air or water, and that these waves are called mechanical waves. Later on in the unit, we learned about how water waves, sound waves, and light waves travel, and what kind of wave they were. We also did essays and reports on how waves can effect us and the people in our community, and how science is being applied in the study of these waves. We learned all of the basics of waves, but also how they effect me, my family, the people in my community, and people all over the world.

What did you like? Some of the things I really liked about this unit were all of the projects we did. We didn't just sit and take note, but we got to do cool experiments that allowed us to visualize the things we were learning. An example of this would be when we were learning about the way transverse waves travel, and we filed a bucket with water and set up barriers. This was how we learned about diffraction, and we had a lot of fun doing it. I also liked how we didn't just learn the basic properties of waves, but we learned how they effect us in our communities and how science is being applied to helping us stay safe.

What would you change or add for next year's grade 7 students? My favorite part of the unit and what I feel was the most enjoyable part of the unit was the Food irradiation debate. Next year, I think the students should be encouraged to debate more during the unit.