Wave Interactions
Update - 1/24/2026
These notes have changed to match the 2025 IB Physics curriculum and a "forces first" sequence. If you are looking for the files that were posted here, you can find them in the notes archive 

Content Guide

Content Guide - Wave Interactions (pdf)
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Content Guide - Wave Interactions (editable)
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Content Guide - Wave Interactions - KEY (pdf)
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Content Guide - Wave Interactions - KEY (editable)
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1 – Light and the EM Spectrum​

  • I can convert using metric prefixes
  • I can identify and use the speed of light to solve wave problems with the wave equations
  • I can estimate the wavelength magnitude for the different EM waves
  • I can provide real world examples for each of the electromagnetic waves
1 - Light and the EM Spectrum - COMPLETE (pdf)
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1 - Light and the EM Spectrum - COMPLETE (editable)
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1 - Light and the EM Spectrum - STUDENT (pdf)
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1 - Light and the EM Spectrum - STUDENT (editable)
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2 – Reflection and Refraction​

  • I can identify the angle of incidence and angle of reflection for a reflected wave ray
  • I can use the law of reflection to predict the way light bounces off a plane mirror
  • I can relate the index of refraction of a material to the speed of light as it travels through
  • I can qualitatively describe how light bends when transitioning between boundaries
  • I can predict the direction that light will bend at a medium transition
2 - Reflection and Refraction - COMPLETE (pdf)
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2 - Reflection and Refraction - COMPLETE (editable)
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2 - Reflection and Refraction - STUDENT (pdf)
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2 - Reflection and Refraction - STUDENT (editable)
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3 – Snell’s Law​

  • I can mathematically relate the angles of refraction to the indices of refraction for the materials
  • I can describe the phenomenon of total internal reflection
  • I can calculate the critical angle of incidence so that the light cannot escape the medium
3 - Snell's Law - COMPLETE (pdf)
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3 - Snell's Law - COMPLETE (editable)
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3 - Snell's Law - STUDENT (pdf)
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3 - Snell's Law - STUDENT (editable)
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4 – Superposition and Interference

  • I can qualitatively and quantitatively interpret cases of constructive and destructive interference
  • I can add up two waves with superposition to create a new waveform
  • I can describe applications and real-world examples for wave interference
  • I can use wavelength and source distance to identify maxima and minima for interference
4 - Superposition and Interference - COMPLETE (pdf)
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4 - Superposition and Interference - COMPLETE (editable)
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4 - Superposition and Interference - STUDENT (pdf)
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4 - Superposition and Interference - STUDENT (editable)
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5 – Diffraction​

  • I can identify and label the node and antinodes on a standing wave diagram
  • I can describe the end conditions and nodes/antinodes for open/closed pipes and strings
  • I can relate length and wavelength for open/closed pipes and vibrating strings 
  • I can calculate the length of a pipe/string required to resonate a specific frequency
5 - Diffraction - COMPLETE (pdf)
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5 - Diffraction - COMPLETE (editable)
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5 - Diffraction - STUDENT (pdf)
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5 - Diffraction - STUDENT (editable)
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​6 – The Doppler Effect

  • I can conceptually describe how a moving wave source impacts the observed frequency
6 - The Doppler Effect - COMPLETE (pdf)
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6 - The Doppler Effect - COMPLETE (editable)
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6 - The Doppler Effect - STUDENT (pdf)
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6 - The Doppler Effect - STUDENT (editable)
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