Year 7 · Science · beta

Sound, light and vision

This unit explores sound and light waves, including frequencies, echoes, reflection, absorption, and the need for a medium for sound to travel. It also compares light and matter waves, investigates light transmission and colour, and examines wave properties and effects.

This is an attributed Oak National Academy lesson sequence, not a completed or academically approved DASKEREL course. Supporting transcripts may depend on video, images, practical equipment or teacher explanation. Follow each lesson’s supervision guidance. For religious education and RSHE, follow the school’s syllabus, policy and safeguarding procedures.

Prior knowledge

Sounds are made by something that is vibrating.
Vibrations from sounds are heard because they move through the air to the ear.
Bigger vibrations make louder sounds.
Shorter or tighter strings vibrate to make sounds with a higher pitch.
Sounds get fainter as distance from the sound increases.
Light travels in straight lines.
Objects are seen because they shine light or reflect light into the eye.
Light forms shadows in the shape of objects that block it.

Source curriculum references

Frequencies of sound waves, measured in hertz (Hz); echoes, reflection and absorption of sound
Sound needs a medium to travel, the speed of sound in air, in water, in solids
Sound produced by vibrations of objects, in loudspeakers, detected by their effects on microphone diaphragm and the ear drum; sound waves are longitudinal
The similarities and differences between light waves and waves in matter
Light waves travelling through a vacuum; speed of light
The transmission of light through materials: absorption, diffuse scattering and specular reflection at a surface
Colours and the different frequencies of light, white light and prisms (qualitative only); differential colour effects in absorption and diffuse reflection

Oak source metadata. DASKEREL has not independently verified school-level coverage.

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