How does electricity flow through small objects: KS5 - Wave Machine

Scientists at the University of Oxford have been studying how electrons flow in tiny electrical components made of individual molecules. One property they are hoping to harness is the ability of individual electrons to constructively or destructively interfere.

In this lesson students look at some of the other uses of interference (of light waves) and prepare a ‘news item’ about the recent discovery of gravitational waves.

Learning outcomes:

• When two or more waves meet the effects of those waves are additive. The amplitude of the resultant wave at that point can be larger or smaller.
• Coherent light waves of the same frequency can interfere with each other; if they are exactly out of phase they destructively interfere, if exactly in phase they constructively interfere.
• Interference has practical uses such as coating lenses or building scientific instruments.

See more at: www.oxfordsparks.ox.ac.uk/content/how-does-electricity-flow-through-small-objects