Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Introduction to Physics - Meaning of Physics as a science

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Define Physics as a branch of science
- Explain why Physics is considered a science
- Relate Physics to everyday observations like vehicle movement and electrical appliances

- Discuss in groups the meaning of Physics using textbooks and digital resources
- Search for the meaning of Physics as a branch of science
- Share explanations on the meaning of Physics with classmates

What is Physics and why is it considered a science?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 1
- Digital devices with internet access
- Physics textbooks

- Oral questions - Group discussions - Observation

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Introduction to Physics - Branches of Physics
Introduction to Physics - Importance of Physics in day-to-day life
Introduction to Physics - Relationship with other fields and careers
Pressure - Atmospheric pressure as used in Physics
Pressure - Demonstrating atmospheric pressure effects

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Identify the main branches of Physics
- Describe each branch of Physics and its focus area
- Connect branches of Physics to technologies like smartphones and medical equipment
- Define atmospheric pressure
- Demonstrate the existence of atmospheric pressure
- Relate atmospheric pressure to real-life experiences like breathing and weather changes

- Use digital devices to search for main branches of Physics
- Discuss with peers the branches of Physics (mechanics, electricity & magnetism, thermodynamics, optics, waves, electronics, modern physics, astronomy)
- Share findings with classmates
- Discuss the meaning of atmospheric pressure
- Perform experiment using balloon and sheet of paper to demonstrate air pressure
- Carry out inverted glass experiment with water and manila paper

How do different branches of Physics explain various natural phenomena?
What causes atmospheric pressure and how does it affect us?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 2
- Digital resources
- Charts showing branches of Physics
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 3
- Pictures of technological devices
- Digital resources
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 5
- Career booklets
- Digital devices
- Charts and manila papers
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 9
- Balloon, glass, water, manila paper
- Digital resources
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 11
- Plastic bottles, hot water, cold water
- Balloon, optical pin, sellotape

- Written assignments - Oral questions - Observation
- Practical observation - Oral questions - Written tests

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Pressure - Factors affecting pressure in liquids
Pressure - Investigating pressure variation with depth
Pressure - Deriving and applying P = ρgh

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Identify factors affecting pressure in liquids
- Investigate relationship between pressure, depth and density
- Relate liquid pressure to swimming pool depth and dam construction

- Use U-tube and thistle funnel to investigate pressure variation with depth
- Lower thistle funnel to different depths and note U-tube readings
- Repeat with brine and glycerine to compare densities

How do depth and density affect pressure in liquids?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 12
- U-tube, rubber tubing, thistle funnel
- Retort stand, water, brine, glycerine
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 14
- Tin, sellotape, nail, hammer
- Water, brine, ruler
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 15
- Scientific calculators
- Worked examples

- Practical observation - Data recording - Oral questions

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Pressure - Solving pressure problems using P = ρgh

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Calculate pressure at various depths in different liquids
- Determine total pressure including atmospheric pressure
- Apply calculations to real situations like diving depths and water storage tanks

- Solve problems involving barometer construction
- Calculate pressure exerted by water at bottom of tanks
- Determine force on tap openings using pressure formula
- Work out total pressure at various depths

How do divers experience increased pressure at greater depths?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 16
- Scientific calculators
- Problem worksheets

- Written exercises - Class work - Oral questions

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Pressure - Pascal's principle and transmission of pressure

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain Pascal's principle of pressure transmission
- Demonstrate transmission of pressure using syringes
- Connect Pascal's principle to hydraulic systems in vehicles and machines

- Connect two syringes with rubber tubing filled with water
- Push plunger of one syringe and observe effect on the other
- Discuss how pressure is transmitted equally in enclosed fluids

How is pressure transmitted through fluids in a closed system?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 18
- Two syringes (different sizes)
- Rubber tubing, water

- Practical observation - Oral questions - Written tests

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Pressure - Hydraulic lift and brake systems
Pressure - Car hydraulic braking system
Pressure - Drinking straw and syringe applications

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain how hydraulic lift works
- Calculate force multiplication in hydraulic systems
- Relate hydraulic principles to car jacks and lifting equipment
- Explain how drinking straw works using atmospheric pressure
- Describe the working principle of a syringe
- Apply knowledge to medical applications and everyday drinking

- Study hydraulic lift diagram and identify components
- Derive relationship between force, pressure and area in hydraulic systems
- Solve numerical problems on hydraulic lift
- Discuss advantages of hydraulic systems
- Suck water through straw and observe what happens
- Make hole in straw and repeat experiment
- Demonstrate syringe operation by drawing and expelling water
- Discuss pressure differences that enable these devices to work

How do hydraulic lifts multiply force to lift heavy loads?
Why can't you drink through a straw with a hole in it?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 19
- Hydraulic lift diagrams
- Scientific calculators
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 21
- Hydraulic brake diagrams
- Resource persons (mechanics)
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 24
- Straws, syringes
- Glass, water, optical pin

- Numerical problems - Written tests - Oral questions
- Practical demonstrations - Oral questions - Written tests

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Pressure - Siphoning principle and applications

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Demonstrate siphoning process
- Explain conditions for continuous siphoning
- Apply siphoning knowledge to fuel transfer and aquarium maintenance

- Set up siphon using two containers at different heights
- Fill tube with water and demonstrate siphoning
- Identify conditions for continuous flow
- Calculate pressure difference in siphon system

Under what conditions does a siphon work continuously?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 26
- Plastic/rubber tube
- Two containers, water

- Practical observation - Oral questions - Written reports

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Pressure - Pumping mechanisms
Mechanical Properties - Types of mechanical properties

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain working of bicycle pump
- Describe operation of lift pump
- Relate pump mechanisms to inflating tyres and drawing water from wells

- Examine bicycle pump and identify leather washer function
- Demonstrate upstroke and downstroke of bicycle pump
- Study lift pump diagram and explain valve operations
- Discuss limitations of lift pump (10m height limit)

How does a bicycle pump use atmospheric pressure to inflate tyres?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 27
- Bicycle pump
- Lift pump diagrams
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 33
- Samples of different materials
- Digital resources

- Practical demonstrations - Oral questions - Written tests

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Mechanical Properties - Demonstrating ductility, brittleness and malleability

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Demonstrate ductility, brittleness and malleability
- Classify materials based on their mechanical behavior
- Apply knowledge to explain why copper is used for wires and glass breaks easily

- Use G-clamp to fix metal rods and apply loads until bending or breaking
- Hammer iron nail and observe flattening
- Compare behavior of glass, wood, lead, copper and steel rods
- Classify materials as ductile, brittle or malleable

Why does glass break suddenly while copper bends without breaking?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 34
- G-clamp, metal rods, hammer
- Nails, glass rod, masses

- Practical observation - Classification tables - Written tests

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Mechanical Properties - Elasticity and hardness
Mechanical Properties - Investigating Hooke's Law
Mechanical Properties - Graphical analysis and spring constant

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Demonstrate elasticity using springs and rubber bands
- Test hardness of different materials
- Relate elasticity to shock absorbers and hardness to cutting tools
- Plot force-extension graph
- Determine spring constant from graph gradient
- Use spring constant to predict extension for given forces

- Stretch springs and rubber bands and observe return to original shape
- Use sharp object to mark different materials and compare hardness
- Classify materials as elastic or hard
- Discuss applications of elastic and hard materials
- Plot graph of force against extension
- Determine gradient of straight line
- Identify spring constant from graph
- Discuss elastic limit and plastic deformation

Why do springs return to their original shape after stretching?
How do we determine the spring constant of a spiral spring?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 36
- Springs, rubber bands
- Nail, various material samples
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 38
- Spiral spring, retort stand
- Masses, metre rule
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 39
- Graph papers
- Data from previous experiment
- Scientific calculators

- Practical demonstrations - Oral questions - Written assignments
- Graph plotting - Gradient calculation - Written tests

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Mechanical Properties - Combined spring constant

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Determine combined spring constant for springs in series
- Determine combined spring constant for springs in parallel
- Apply knowledge to vehicle suspension systems with multiple springs

- Connect two identical springs in series and determine combined spring constant
- Connect same springs in parallel and determine combined spring constant
- Compare combined constants with single spring constant
- Derive formulae for series and parallel combinations

Why is the combined spring constant different for series and parallel arrangements?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 42
- Two identical springs
- Retort stand, masses
- Metre rule

- Practical observation - Numerical problems - Written tests

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Mechanical Properties - Hooke's Law in car shock absorbers
Mechanical Properties - Tensile stress and strain

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain application of Hooke's Law in shock absorbers
- Describe how suspension systems work
- Relate overloading of vehicles to damage of shock absorbers

- Research application of Hooke's Law in car shock absorbers
- Discuss how shock absorbers compress and extend
- Explain damping effect in suspension systems
- Discuss effects of overloading on vehicle springs

How do shock absorbers provide a smooth ride on bumpy roads?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 47
- Shock absorber diagrams
- Digital resources
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 48
- Scientific calculators
- Worked examples

- Oral questions - Written assignments - Research presentations

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Mechanical Properties - Young's Modulus determination

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Define Young's Modulus
- Calculate Young's Modulus from stress and strain
- Interpret stress-strain graphs for material selection in construction

- Derive Young's Modulus as ratio of stress to strain
- Plot stress-strain graph and identify regions
- Identify elastic limit, yield point and breaking point
- Solve problems involving Young's Modulus

What does the stress-strain graph tell us about material behavior?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 50
- Graph papers
- Scientific calculators

- Graph interpretation - Numerical problems - Written tests

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Mechanical Properties - Industrial applications
Temperature and Thermal Expansion - Meaning of temperature
Temperature and Thermal Expansion - Temperature conversion
Temperature and Thermal Expansion - Liquid-in-glass thermometers
Temperature and Thermal Expansion - Clinical thermometer

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Describe industrial applications of mechanical properties
- Select appropriate materials for specific applications
- Apply material selection principles to everyday items like scissors, springs and brake pads
- Convert temperature from Celsius to Kelvin and vice versa
- Convert temperature from Celsius to Fahrenheit and vice versa
- Connect temperature conversions to international weather reports and scientific research

- Research applications in manufacturing, automobile and construction industries
- Discuss material selection for bridges, wires, cutting tools
- Identify properties required for various products
- Present findings on importance of mechanical properties
- Discuss conversion formulas for temperature
- Solve numerical problems on temperature conversion
- Use digital resources to verify temperature conversions

Why do engineers study mechanical properties before selecting materials?
Why is it important to convert temperature between different scales?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 52
- Digital resources
- Sample products (springs, wires, tools)
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 56
- Bowls of water at different temperatures
- Digital resources
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 56
- Scientific calculators
- Digital resources
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 57
- Alcohol-in-glass thermometer
- Beakers with water
- Heat source
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 59
- Clinical thermometer
- Antiseptic
- Cotton wool

- Presentations - Oral questions - Written assignments
- Written tests - Oral questions - Problem-solving exercises

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Temperature and Thermal Expansion - Thermocouple thermometer
Temperature and Thermal Expansion - RTDs and thermistors

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the working principle of thermocouple thermometers
- Describe the Seebeck effect
- Relate thermocouple thermometers to industrial temperature measurement in furnaces and engines

- Set up a thermocouple thermometer with hot and cold junctions
- Measure temperature using thermocouple
- Discuss industrial applications of thermocouples

How does temperature difference between two junctions produce voltage?

- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 60
- Thermocouple with voltmeter
- Heat source
- Melting ice
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 61
- Digital thermometer
- Digital resources
- Reference books

- Practical assessment - Observation - Written questions

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Temperature and Thermal Expansion - Infrared and bimetallic thermometers
Temperature and Thermal Expansion - Expansion in solids
Temperature and Thermal Expansion - Linear expansivity

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the working principle of infrared thermometers
- Describe how bimetallic strips work in thermometers
- Relate infrared thermometers to contactless temperature screening in hospitals and airports

- Use infrared thermometer to measure temperature of different surfaces
- Discuss the distance-to-spot ratio in infrared thermometers
- Identify parts of bimetallic thermometer

Why are infrared thermometers preferred for contactless temperature measurement?

- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 60
- Infrared thermometer
- Bimetallic thermometer
- Various surfaces
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 64
- Ball and ring apparatus
- Heat source
- Safety equipment
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 65
- Metal rods (iron, copper, aluminium)
- Ruler/measuring tape

- Practical assessment - Oral questions - Written tests

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Temperature and Thermal Expansion - Expansion in liquids

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Demonstrate thermal expansion in liquids
- Explain why the liquid level first falls then rises when heated
- Connect liquid expansion to the working of liquid-in-glass thermometers

- Set up apparatus with flask, tube and coloured water
- Heat the flask and observe liquid level changes
- Discuss why flask expands before liquid

Why does the liquid level initially fall before rising when heated?

- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 67
- Round-bottomed flask
- Narrow tube with cork
- Coloured water
- Heat source

- Practical assessment - Observation - Oral questions

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Temperature and Thermal Expansion - Anomalous expansion of water
Temperature and Thermal Expansion - Applications in daily life
Moments and Equilibrium - Centre of gravity of regular objects
Moments and Equilibrium - Centre of gravity of triangles

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the anomalous expansion of water between 0°C and 4°C
- Describe why ice floats on water
- Connect anomalous expansion to survival of aquatic life in frozen lakes during winter
- Define centre of gravity
- Determine the C.O.G of regular shaped objects (square, rectangle, circle)
- Relate centre of gravity to balancing objects on fingertips

- Use digital resources to research anomalous expansion of water
- Discuss the density-temperature graph of water
- Explain formation of ice on water surfaces
- Use balancing method to find C.O.G of regular cut-outs
- Use geometrical construction (diagonals) to locate C.O.G
- Compare results from both methods

Why does ice float on water?
Where is the centre of gravity of a square located?

- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 68
- Digital resources
- Charts showing density vs temperature
- Reference books
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 71
- Pictures of expansion joints
- Bimetallic strip
- Digital resources
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 78
- Cut-out shapes (square, rectangle, circle)
- Pencil for balancing
- Ruler
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 80
- Triangular cut-outs
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Marker

- Oral questions - Written assignments - Group discussions
- Practical assessment - Observation - Oral questions

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Moments and Equilibrium - Centre of gravity of irregular objects
Moments and Equilibrium - Stable equilibrium
Moments and Equilibrium - Unstable and neutral equilibrium

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Determine C.O.G of irregular objects using plumb line method
- Explain why suspended objects align with C.O.G below pivot
- Connect plumb line method to levelling tools used in construction

- Suspend irregular lamina from different points
- Use plumb line to draw vertical lines
- Mark intersection as C.O.G and verify by balancing

Why do all vertical lines through suspension points meet at one point?

- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 81
- Irregular cardboard shapes
- String and small weight (plumb line)
- Stand and clamp
- Marker
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 83
- Cone-shaped objects
- Flat surface
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 84
- Spherical ball

- Practical assessment - Observation - Written tests

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Moments and Equilibrium - Factors affecting stability
Moments and Equilibrium - Turning effect of a force
Moments and Equilibrium - Calculating moments

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Investigate effect of base area on stability
- Investigate effect of position of C.O.G on stability
- Connect stability factors to why buses have luggage compartments underneath

- Compare stability of bottles with different amounts of sand
- Compare stability of books resting on different surfaces
- Discuss how to increase stability of objects

How does the position of centre of gravity affect stability?

- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 85
- Plastic bottles
- Sand
- Similar books
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 89
- Door
- Spring balance
- Ruler
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 90
- Ruler on pivot
- Known weights
- Metre rule

- Practical assessment - Oral questions - Written tests

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Moments and Equilibrium - Verifying principle of moments

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- State the principle of moments
- Verify principle of moments experimentally
- Connect principle of moments to balancing on see-saws

- Set up metre rule on pivot with weights on both sides
- Adjust positions until balanced
- Calculate and compare clockwise and anticlockwise moments

When is a body in rotational equilibrium?

- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 91
- Metre rule
- Knife edge pivot
- Known masses
- String

- Practical assessment - Written tests - Observation

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Moments and Equilibrium - Applications of principle of moments
Moments and Equilibrium - Determining mass using moments
Moments and Equilibrium - Parallel forces and two supports

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Apply principle of moments to solve problems
- Determine unknown forces using principle of moments
- Use principle of moments to calculate where children should sit on a see-saw to balance
- Demonstrate moments about two points of support
- Apply conditions for equilibrium with parallel forces
- Connect parallel forces to how bridges distribute weight across supports

- Solve problems involving balanced beams
- Calculate unknown masses and distances
- Discuss applications in beam balances and levers
- Set up metre rule supported by two spring balances
- Attach weights at different positions
- Verify sum of upward forces equals sum of downward forces

How can we use moments to find an unknown mass?
How are forces distributed in a beam supported at two points?

- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 92
- Scientific calculators
- Problem sheets
- Beam balance
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 93
- Metre rule
- Stand and thread
- Known masses (50g, 100g)
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 94
- Metre rule
- Two spring balances
- Known weights
- Stand

- Written tests - Problem-solving exercises - Oral questions
- Practical assessment - Written tests - Observation

Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Moments and Equilibrium - Couple and torque
Moments and Equilibrium - Applications and resolution of forces

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Define a couple as two equal and opposite parallel forces
- Calculate torque as Force × perpendicular distance between forces
- Connect couples to turning steering wheels and opening bottle caps

- Demonstrate couple using a plank fixed at centre
- Apply equal forces in opposite directions
- Calculate torque from experimental data

Why do we need two hands to turn a steering wheel smoothly?

- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 97
- Uniform plank with central pivot
- Spring balances
- Steering wheel model
- Spotlight Physics Learner's Book pg. 100
- Pictures of applications
- Digital resources
- Problem sheets

- Practical assessment - Written tests - Oral questions

Waves and Optics

Properties of Waves - Rectilinear propagation of waves
Properties of Waves - Reflection of waves

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the meaning of rectilinear propagation of waves
- Demonstrate rectilinear propagation using sound and light examples
- Relate wave propagation to everyday experiences like torch beams and speaker systems

- Discuss with peers the meaning of rectilinear propagation of waves
- Observe how sound travels from a teacher facing different directions
- Use digital resources to search for applications of rectilinear propagation

How do waves travel from their source?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 147
- Torch
- Digital resources
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 148
- Digital resources
- Charts showing reflection

- Oral questions - Observation - Written assignments

Waves and Optics

Properties of Waves - Refraction of waves
Properties of Waves - Diffraction of waves
Properties of Waves - Interference of waves

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the meaning of refraction of waves
- Demonstrate refraction using a straight object in water
- Relate refraction to why sound travels differently during day and night

- Observe how a straight object appears bent when placed in water
- Discuss how sound waves bend at the interface of cold and hot air
- Illustrate refraction of sound waves during day and night

Why does a stick appear bent in water?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 150
- Glass of water
- Straight object
- Digital resources
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 151
- Torch
- Manila paper
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 152
- Two identical speakers
- Audio frequency generator

- Observation - Oral questions - Written tests

Waves and Optics

Properties of Waves - Demonstrating rectilinear propagation using ripple tank
Properties of Waves - Demonstrating reflection using ripple tank
Properties of Waves - Demonstrating refraction using ripple tank
Properties of Waves - Demonstrating diffraction using ripple tank

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Set up a ripple tank to demonstrate wave properties
- Demonstrate rectilinear propagation of waves in a ripple tank
- Connect the formation of bright and dark spots to how water waves behave
- Demonstrate diffraction of waves using a ripple tank
- Investigate how aperture size affects diffraction
- Connect diffraction to how radio waves reach behind buildings

- Set up a ripple tank with all accessories
- Observe how crests appear bright and troughs appear dark
- Place two straight rods perpendicular to the vibrating bar and observe wave direction
- Place two metal barriers with an aperture in front of plane waves
- Vary the aperture size from 8 cm to 0.5 cm and observe emerging waves
- Place an obstacle in front of waves and observe diffraction around it

How do waves move in a straight line?
What factors determine the extent of wave diffraction?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 154
- Ripple tank and accessories
- Dry cell and cell holder
- White manila paper
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 156
- Ripple tank
- Straight metal reflector
- Concave and convex reflectors
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 158
- Transparent glass plate
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 159
- Ripple tank
- Two straight metal barriers
- Opaque obstacle

- Practical assessment - Observation - Oral questions
- Practical assessment - Observation - Written assignments

Waves and Optics

Properties of Waves - Demonstrating interference using ripple tank
Properties of Waves - Production of frequency modulated (FM) waves

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Demonstrate interference of waves using a ripple tank
- Identify constructive and destructive interference patterns
- Relate interference patterns to noise-cancelling headphones and acoustic design

- Fix two spherical balls below the vibrator bar as coherent sources
- Observe dark and bright radial lines showing interference pattern
- Discuss how bright lines show constructive and dark lines show destructive interference

How are interference patterns formed in a ripple tank?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 160
- Ripple tank
- Two spherical balls
- White manila paper
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 161
- Digital resources
- Physics reference books

- Practical assessment - Observation - Oral questions

Waves and Optics

Properties of Waves - Detection of frequency modulated (FM) waves

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain how FM waves are detected and demodulated
- Describe applications of FM in various fields
- Relate FM detection to how radios and television sets receive signals

- Discuss demodulation methods for FM signals
- Research applications of FM in radar systems, medical imaging, and telemetry
- Present findings on FM applications to classmates

How do radios detect and convert FM signals to sound?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 162
- Digital resources
- Radio receiver (demonstration)

- Oral questions - Written tests - Research presentations

Waves and Optics

Properties of Waves - Formation of stationary waves

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Explain the meaning of stationary waves
- Demonstrate formation of stationary waves using a tuning fork and string
- Connect stationary waves to how guitar strings produce different notes

- Fix a string to a tuning fork prong and pass over a fixed pulley
- Strike the tuning fork and observe nodes and antinodes
- Discuss how incident and reflected waves superimpose to form stationary waves

How are stationary waves formed in a vibrating string?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 163
- Tuning fork
- String
- Mass (weight)
- Fixed pulley system

- Practical assessment - Observation - Oral questions

Waves and Optics

Properties of Waves - Factors affecting fundamental frequency of vibrating string
Properties of Waves - Modes of vibration in strings
Properties of Waves - Stationary waves in closed pipes

By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
- Investigate factors affecting fundamental frequency of a vibrating string
- Determine the relationship between frequency, tension, and length
- Relate findings to tuning musical instruments like guitars and violins

- Set up a sonometer apparatus and vary tension while keeping length constant
- Vary the length between bridges while keeping tension constant
- Discuss the mathematical relationship f = (1/2L)√(T/μ)

How do tension and length affect the frequency of a vibrating string?

- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 164
- Sonometer apparatus
- Weights
- Two wooden wedges
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 166
- Digital resources
- Charts showing modes of vibration
- Spotlight Physics Grade 10 pg. 167
- Glass tube
- Glass jar with water
- Tuning fork

- Practical assessment - Written tests - Oral questions