Physics Lesson 4c — Waves

Waves Transfer Energy, Not Matter

Spec 3.4

🦆🌊📡🏟️⚡

Learning Objectives:

3.4 – Know that waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter.

🏆 By the end I will be able to…

All: state that waves transfer energy not matter, using the duck test.

Most: explain the duck test and apply the rule to everyday examples.

Some: apply the energy-not-matter rule to unfamiliar real-world scenarios and justify my reasoning.

Navigation: Arrow Keys or Spacebar

🖨️ Pupil Packs

⏱️ 40-Minute Pacing Guide

Core path (40 min): Arrival → Starter → I Do → We Do → Independent → Exit Ticket

Part 3 of 3 — follows 4a Wave Anatomy and 4b Frequency & Period. Next: the wave speed equation, v = f × λ.

⏱️ 4 min

Arrival Task

Arrival Task – What Do You Already Know?

Instructions: Answer from memory. This is a new topic — do your best!

1. 🟢

What is frequency the measure of?

A) Waves per secondB) Height of a waveC) Colour of a waveD) Wave speed

✅ A) Waves per second.

2. 🟢

If you drop a stone into a pond, what happens to the water?

A) It disappearsB) Ripples spread outwardC) It turns to iceD) Nothing happens

✅ B) Ripples (waves) spread outward in circles from where the stone entered.

3. 🟢

Does a duck on a pond move across the water when a wave passes?

A) Yes, it travels with the waveB) No, it just bobs up and downC) It sinksD) It speeds up

✅ B) No — it bobs up and down. The duck doesn't travel with the wave.

4. Lead-in 🦆

If the duck doesn't move forward, what does the wave carry?

A) WaterB) Energy (and information)C) IceD) Nothing

✅ B) Energy (and information). The wave carries energy outwards but the water stays roughly in place.

1. 🟠

A wave has a frequency of 4 Hz. What is its period?

A) 4 sB) 0.25 sC) 40 sD) 0.4 s

✅ B) T = 1/f = 1/4 = 0.25 s.

2. 🟠

Which of these is NOT usually described as a wave?

A) SoundB) WaterC) A brickD) Light

✅ C) A brick. Sound, water and light all travel as waves.

3. 🟠

When you shout across a field, what actually reaches your friend?

A) Air from your mouthB) Just the sound (energy)C) NothingD) Your voice box

✅ B) Just the sound (energy). The air particles vibrate but don't travel across the field.

4. Lead-in 🦆

If waves don't move matter, what two things do they transfer?

A) Energy and informationB) Air onlyC) Water onlyD) Nothing

✅ A) Energy and information.

1. 🔵

T = 0.02 s. What is the frequency?

A) 5 HzB) 50 HzC) 0.02 HzD) 20 Hz

✅ B) f = 1/T = 1/0.02 = 50 Hz.

2. 🔵

Earthquakes send seismic waves through the Earth. Do the rocks travel, or just the energy?

A) The rocks travel to your houseB) Just the energy — rocks vibrate in placeC) Nothing movesD) Sound moves but not energy

✅ B) Just the energy travels — the rocks vibrate in place.

3. 🔵

What is a wavefront?

A) A single point on a waveB) A line joining points at the same stage of a waveC) The front of a boatD) The end of a wave

✅ B) A line joining all the points on a wave at the same stage of vibration.

4. Lead-in 🦆

A tsunami can destroy a coastline thousands of km from the earthquake that caused it. What travels that distance?

A) The original seawaterB) The energy, through the waterC) Nothing travels that farD) Sound only

✅ B) The energy travels through the water — the water itself doesn't travel that far.

⏱️ 3 min

Starter

Starter: Does the Duck Travel? 🦆

Instructions: No science knowledge needed! Just think about your everyday life. In your book, answer the 3 questions below. 3 minutes.

📝 Think & Write

1. List 3 places you've seen waves in real life. (Think: beach, pond, music speaker, microwave…)

2. If you drop a stone in a pond, a duck floating nearby starts bobbing. Does the duck travel across the pond, or stay roughly where it is?

3. When a wave moves, what do you think actually travels — the water itself, or just the energy?

💡 Need ideas? Ocean, ripples in a puddle, sound from a speaker, the wiggly line on a heart monitor, the mexican wave at football…

🖼️ Can you spot waves here?

These are all waves! They move energy but not matter.

💡 Did You Know?

The loudest sound ever recorded was the 1883 Krakatoa eruption — heard 4,800 km away. That's the same wave physics you're about to study!

⏱️ 6 min

I Do

I Do: Waves Transfer Energy, Not Matter (3.4)

Key Idea: Waves transfer energy and information from one place to another without transferring matter.

🌊 The Duck Test

Drop a stone in a pond. Waves ripple outward. But a floating duck just bobs up and down — it doesn't travel with the wave.

This proves the water (matter) stays put. Only the energy moves outward.

📡 What DO Waves Carry?

✅ Energy — a tsunami carries massive energy from an earthquake across an entire ocean.

✅ Information — radio waves carry music, Wi-Fi carries data, light lets you see.

❌ Matter — the particles vibrate in place but don't travel with the wave.

Energy Travels, Matter Doesn't

🌟 Think Deeper: A Mexican wave in a stadium is a great example — the pattern moves around the stadium but the people (matter) stay in their seats. They just stand up and sit down.

Don't write: "the wave pushes the water forward to the beach" (matter doesn't travel)

Write: "the wave transfers energy — the water particles vibrate but stay roughly in place"

This is the single most common wave misconception — always check pupils separate "energy travels" from "matter travels".

Talk to your partner: Pick one example — a tsunami, a Mexican wave, or a shout across a field. Explain what travels and what stays put. Be ready to sort more examples yourself next.

⏱️ 6 min

We Do

We Do: Energy or Matter? ✅❌

Instructions: For each scenario, decide: does the wave transfer matter, or just energy/information?

👥 Think-Pair-Share: Try it yourself → discuss with your partner → agree on the answer.

1. 🌊 A tsunami crosses the Pacific Ocean.

Does the water from Japan arrive in California?

2. 📻 A radio signal reaches your car.

Does any matter move from the radio tower to your car?

3. 🏟️ A Mexican wave goes around a stadium.

Do the fans travel around the stadium?

4. 🔊 You shout across a playground.

Do air particles from your mouth reach your friend's ear?

5. 🌍 An earthquake sends seismic waves 1000 km.

Do the rocks travel 1000 km?

Correct: 0 / 5 🌊

⏱️ 8 min

Independent Work

Instructions: Complete the tasks in your printed pack independently.

📝 Your Pack Contains:

Section A: Multiple Choice (4 questions)

Section B: Short Answer — explain the duck test

Section C: Long Answer — energy vs matter reasoning

Section D: Exam-Style Question

Need help? Check the Scaffolding Sheet for the key rule and worked examples.

Exam Command Words:
State = write a fact, no explanation needed.
Explain = say what happens AND why (use "because").
Describe = say what happens step by step (no "why" needed).
Compare = say what's similar AND different between two things.

🏆 Success Criteria

Foundation (Grades U–1): I can state that waves transfer energy not matter, using the duck test.

Middle (Grades 1–2): I can explain the duck test and apply the rule to everyday examples.

Higher (Grades 3–5): I can apply the energy-not-matter rule to unfamiliar scenarios and justify my reasoning.

✅ Tick as you go — Success checklist

I know waves transfer energy, not matter

I can explain the duck test in my own words

I can name 2 things waves DO carry (energy, information)

I can apply the rule to a new scenario (Middle/Higher)

⏱️ 3 min

Exit Ticket

Exit Ticket – Check Your Learning

Instructions: Answer independently. No notes.

🟢 I'm confident — I could teach this

🟡 Getting there — need more practice

🔴 I'm stuck — I need help

🖨️ Print written exit ticket:

1) Do waves transfer energy or matter?

Energy (and information). Not matter.

2) In the duck test, does the duck travel with the wave?

No — it bobs up and down, it doesn't travel with the wave.

3) Name one thing waves DO carry.

Energy, or information (either answer is correct).

Name: ________________________ Class: __________ Date: ____________

🏆 Success Criteria — tick at the END of the lesson:

☐ I know waves transfer energy, not matter.

☐ I can explain the duck test in my own words.

☐ I can apply the rule to new, real-world scenarios.

Knowledge Organiser: Waves Transfer Energy, Not Matter (L4c)

How to use: Read this before starting. Refer back during independent work. Cover it up for the exit ticket — that tests what you actually remember!

Concept	Details
Key rule	Waves transfer energy and information WITHOUT transferring matter.
The duck test	A duck on a pond bobs up and down when a wave passes — it doesn't travel with the wave.
What travels	Energy (e.g. a tsunami's power) and information (e.g. radio, Wi-Fi, sound).
What doesn't travel	Matter — the particles vibrate in place but don't move along with the wave.
Mexican wave analogy	The pattern moves around the stadium; the fans (matter) stay in their seats.

🧠 Memory Trick

Waves transfer energy, not matter = "The duck bobs but doesn't travel!"

Always separate "what travels" (energy/information) from "what stays put" (matter/particles).

📋 Exam Technique — Every Mark Counts!

1 mark = State the rule (energy not matter).

2+ marks = Explain using a named example (duck, Mexican wave, tsunami, sound).

Golden rule: Always name what DOES travel (energy/information) AND what DOESN'T (matter).

Arrival Task – Multiple Choice (circle a letter)

Foundation 🟢

1) What is frequency the measure of? A) Waves per second B) Height of a wave C) Colour of a wave D) Wave speed

2) If you drop a stone into a pond, what happens to the water? A) It disappears B) Ripples spread outward C) It turns to ice D) Nothing happens

3) Does a duck on a pond move across the water when a wave passes? A) Yes, it travels with the wave B) No, it just bobs up and down C) It sinks D) It speeds up

4) If the duck doesn't move forward, what does the wave carry? A) Water B) Energy (and information) C) Ice D) Nothing

Middle 🟠

1) A wave has a frequency of 4 Hz. What is its period? A) 4 s B) 0.25 s C) 40 s D) 0.4 s

2) Which of these is NOT usually described as a wave? A) Sound B) Water C) A brick D) Light

3) When you shout across a field, what actually reaches your friend? A) Air from your mouth B) Just the sound (energy) C) Nothing D) Your voice box

4) If waves don't move matter, what two things do they transfer? A) Energy and information B) Air only C) Water only D) Nothing

Higher 🔵

1) T = 0.02 s. What is the frequency? A) 5 Hz B) 50 Hz C) 0.02 Hz D) 20 Hz

2) Earthquakes send seismic waves through the Earth. Do the rocks travel, or just the energy? A) The rocks travel to your house B) Just the energy — rocks vibrate in place C) Nothing moves D) Sound moves but not energy

3) What is a wavefront? A) A single point on a wave B) A line joining points at the same stage of a wave C) The front of a boat D) The end of a wave

4) A tsunami can destroy a coastline thousands of km from the earthquake that caused it. What travels that distance? A) The original seawater B) The energy, through the water C) Nothing travels that far D) Sound only

Starter: Does the Duck Travel?

1. List 3 places you've seen waves in real life.

2. If you drop a stone in a pond, a duck floating nearby starts bobbing. Does the duck travel across the pond, or stay roughly where it is?

3. When a wave moves, what do you think actually travels — the water itself, or just the energy?

We Do Worksheet: Energy or Matter?

For each scenario, write "Energy" or "Matter" for what actually travels.

1. A tsunami crosses an ocean. What travels? _________

2. A radio signal reaches your car. What transfers? _________

3. A Mexican wave goes around a stadium. What travels? _________

4. Sound travels from a speaker to your ear. What moves? _________

5. An earthquake sends seismic waves 1000 km. What travels that far? _________

Scaffolding Sheet

Key Rule

Waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter.

The particles vibrate in place — only the pattern (energy) moves forward.

Sentence Starters

"In this example, the ____________ travels, but the ____________ stays roughly in place."

"This is because the particles ____________ rather than ____________ with the wave."

Independent Work – Foundation (Grades U–1)

You've got this! Use your scaffolding sheet. Always name what travels AND what doesn't.

Section A: Multiple Choice

1. Waves transfer… [ ] Matter [ ] Energy [ ] Atoms

2. In the duck test, the duck… [ ] Travels with the wave [ ] Bobs up and down [ ] Sinks

3. A tsunami carries… [ ] Water from Japan to California [ ] Energy across the ocean [ ] Nothing

4. Waves transferring information include… [ ] Radio waves [ ] Bricks [ ] Chairs

Section B: Short Answer

5. State what waves transfer.

6. A duck sits on a pond. A wave passes under it. Describe what happens to the duck.

Section C: Long Answer (Grade 2 Challenge — scaffolded)

7. (4 marks) Complete the sentences about waves and energy.

When you drop a stone in a pond, _________________________ spread outward. [1 mark]

A duck floating on the pond does not travel with the wave. It just _________________________ . [1 mark]

This shows that waves transfer _________________________ but not _________________________ . [2 marks]

Section D: Exam-Style

8. (3 marks) Explain the duck test. What does it show us about waves? [3 marks]

Independent Work – Middle (Grades 1–2)

Push yourself! Use full sentences for explanations. Section D is your Grade 3 stretch — give it your best shot.

Section A: Multiple Choice & Recall

1. Waves transfer energy and… [ ] Matter [ ] Information [ ] Particles

2. Sound reaching your ear from a speaker proves… [ ] Air travels to you [ ] Only energy travels [ ] Nothing moves

3. Explain the duck test.

4. Name two things waves DO carry.

Section B: Application

5. Give one everyday example (not the duck) that shows waves transfer energy without matter. [2 marks]

6. Explain, using a named example, how a wave transfers information. [2 marks]

Section C: Long Answer

7. (4 marks) A student says "when you shout across a room, the air from your mouth reaches the listener." Explain why this is wrong. [4 marks]

Section D: Exam-Style (Grade 3 Stretch)

8. (5 marks) Compare a Mexican wave in a stadium with a water wave in a pond. What is similar about what travels and what stays still in each case? [5 marks]

Independent Work – Higher (Grades 3–5)

Aim high! Full sentences for explanations. Section D includes a Grade 5 challenge — these go beyond the basics. Show the examiner you can reason, not just recall.

Section A: Recall

1. State the key rule about what waves transfer and don't transfer. [2 marks]

2. Explain the duck test and what it demonstrates. [2 marks]

3. Give two examples of information carried by waves. [2 marks]

Section B: Application

4. A seismic wave travels 500 km through the Earth. Explain why the rocks at the destination did not come from the epicentre. [3 marks]

5. A pupil says "sound is just moving air." Explain why this is an oversimplification. [2 marks]

Section C: Long Answer

6. (5 marks) Compare how a Mexican wave in a stadium and a water wave in the ocean both demonstrate the principle that waves transfer energy without transferring matter. [5 marks]

Section D: Exam-Style (Grade 5 Challenge)

7. (6 marks) Explain how a tsunami can destroy buildings 10,000 km away without the original water travelling that distance. Use the words "energy", "particle" and "vibrate" in your answer. [6 marks]

Exit Ticket – Energy Not Matter (Foundation U–1)

Name: _________________________ Date: _____________

1) Do waves transfer energy or matter?

2) In the duck test, does the duck travel with the wave?

3) Name one thing waves DO carry.

Exit Ticket – Energy Not Matter (Middle 1–2)

1) Explain why a duck doesn't move forward when a wave passes.

2) Give one everyday example that shows waves transfer energy without matter.

3) What is the misconception this lesson corrects?

Exit Ticket – Energy Not Matter (Higher 3–5)

1) How can a tsunami destroy buildings 10,000 km away without the water travelling that far?

2) Why is "sound is just moving air" an oversimplification?

3) Compare a Mexican wave and a water wave in terms of what travels and what stays still.

Waves Transfer Energy, Not Matter

🏆 By the end I will be able to…

🖨️ Pupil Packs

⏱️ 40-Minute Pacing Guide

Arrival Task – What Do You Already Know?

1. 🟢

2. 🟢

3. 🟢

4. Lead-in 🦆

1. 🟠

2. 🟠

3. 🟠

4. Lead-in 🦆

1. 🔵

2. 🔵

3. 🔵

4. Lead-in 🦆

Starter: Does the Duck Travel? 🦆

📝 Think & Write

🖼️ Can you spot waves here?

💡 Did You Know?

I Do: Waves Transfer Energy, Not Matter (3.4)

🌊 The Duck Test

📡 What DO Waves Carry?

Energy Travels, Matter Doesn't

We Do: Energy or Matter? ✅❌

Independent Work

📝 Your Pack Contains:

🏆 Success Criteria

✅ Tick as you go — Success checklist

Exit Ticket – Check Your Learning

Knowledge Organiser: Waves Transfer Energy, Not Matter (L4c)

🧠 Memory Trick

📋 Exam Technique — Every Mark Counts!

Arrival Task – Multiple Choice (circle a letter)

Foundation 🟢

Middle 🟠

Higher 🔵

Starter: Does the Duck Travel?

We Do Worksheet: Energy or Matter?

Scaffolding Sheet

Key Rule

Sentence Starters

Independent Work – Foundation (Grades U–1)

Section A: Multiple Choice

Section B: Short Answer

Section C: Long Answer (Grade 2 Challenge — scaffolded)

Section D: Exam-Style

Independent Work – Middle (Grades 1–2)

Section A: Multiple Choice & Recall

Section B: Application

Section C: Long Answer

Section D: Exam-Style (Grade 3 Stretch)

Independent Work – Higher (Grades 3–5)

Section A: Recall

Section B: Application

Section C: Long Answer

Section D: Exam-Style (Grade 5 Challenge)

Exit Ticket – Energy Not Matter (Foundation U–1)

Exit Ticket – Energy Not Matter (Middle 1–2)

Exit Ticket – Energy Not Matter (Higher 3–5)

We Do – Class Evidence

🎓 TA Focus

🎯 Cold Call

📺 Waves in a Ripple Tank

🏆 Class Progress Board

🎉 Lesson Complete!