Table of Contents
Deep Dive IBDP Physics: - C.5 Doppler Effect Teacher Resource Pack
When it comes to teaching waves and sound in the IBDP Physics curriculum, few topics inspire as much curiosity and real-world application as harmonics and resonance. These concepts are foundational in acoustics and musical instrument design and are explicitly covered under Topic C.4: Standing Waves.
To help educators translate theory into memorable, hands-on learning experiences, we’re excited to introduce two classroom-ready resources:
Harmonics and Musical Instrument Design
Resonance in Closed Systems
These activities are designed to empower students to investigate the physics behind musical tones, calculate fundamental and overtone frequencies, and explore how the size, shape, and boundaries of a medium influence sound production.
🎵 Harmonics and Musical Instrument Design
Curriculum Link: C.4.1 – Standing Waves in Pipes | C.4.2 – Wavelength, Frequency, and Speed | C.4.3 – Harmonics in Open and Closed Systems
This resource immerses students in the world of harmonic series by having them work with open and closed pipes to design and analyze their own musical instruments. Through experimentation, learners understand how different boundary conditions affect the standing wave patterns—and how these patterns relate to pitch and tone.
Key Learning Objectives:
Identify harmonic differences between open and closed pipes
Measure fundamental and overtone frequencies
Apply the wave equation to calculate sound properties
Understand real-world applications in instrument design
What the Activity Covers:
Use of PVC or metal pipes (open and closed) of various lengths
Generation of sound using tuning forks or signal generators
Measurement of pipe lengths, resonant frequencies, and wavelengths
Analysis of:
Open pipes supporting all harmonics (even + odd)
Closed pipes supporting only odd harmonics
Why It Resonates with Educators:
Provides a direct connection to real instruments like flutes, clarinets, and organ pipes
Encourages creative thinking through instrument construction
Reinforces wave mechanics while developing data analysis and graphing skills
Suggested Extension:
Design a basic pipe instrument with preselected harmonic notes
Test how pipe material and air temperature affect tone and frequency
Resonance in Closed Systems
Curriculum Link: C.4.1 – Resonance in Tubes | C.4.2 – Frequency and Wavelength in Closed Systems | C.4.3 – Acoustic Properties of Musical Instruments
In this complementary activity, students explore how resonance occurs in simple closed systems such as bottles or closed-end tubes. The focus is on understanding how the length of the air column determines the resonance frequency, and how different sizes and shapes produce varying pitch levels.
Key Learning Objectives:
Observe how air column length affects resonance
Calculate wavelength and fundamental frequency using
Visualize nodes and antinodes in standing wave formation
Link physical structure to sound production mechanisms
What the Activity Involves:
Using bottles or tubes with one end closed
Producing sound by blowing or tapping
Measuring air column length and calculating frequency
Comparing results across different bottle sizes and temperatures
Why Educators Appreciate It:
Accessible and low-prep: uses everyday materials
Excellent introduction to resonance and standing wave patterns
Encourages experimentation with water levels, temperature, and shape
Suggested Classroom Discussions:
Why do closed systems only support odd harmonics?
How can real instruments (e.g., panpipes, water flutes) be modeled with bottles?
How does air temperature shift resonance frequency?
How These Resources Strengthen IBDP Physics Teaching
✔ Align with IBDP Standards
Both resources are designed to support the following IBDP Physics curriculum outcomes:
C.4.1: Identifying standing wave conditions in pipes
C.4.2: Applying wave equations to real-world systems
C.4.3: Investigating harmonic behavior in musical contexts
They prepare students for both conceptual Paper 2 questions and experimental IA design.
✔ Promote Active, Inquiry-Based Learning
Students aren’t just hearing about harmonics—they’re:
Measuring it
Building it
Playing it
These experiences deepen understanding and make complex wave phenomena tangible and memorable.
✔ Bridge Physics and Music
By linking wave principles to musical instruments, students learn:
How harmonic structures determine tone
Why instrument design is grounded in wave physics
How acoustic engineering relies on resonance control
These real-world applications bring relevance to every calculation and observation.
🚀 Give Your Students the Power to Hear Physics in Action
There’s no better way to teach sound than through sound itself. These two resources allow students to see and hear the beauty of wave mechanics in action—from resonating bottles to harmonic-rich musical pipes.
With a blend of data, creativity, and scientific rigor, these activities:
Spark student engagement
Promote curriculum mastery
Offer real pathways to IA exploration
👉 Make your wave unit sing—add these harmonics and resonance resources to your IBDP Physics classroom today.
DP PHY C.5 Doppler Effect Teacher Resource Pack
$49.00
Deliver powerful lessons on evolution, environmental change, and sustainability with Edspry’s ready-to-use IBDP Physics resource pack Aligned with the 2023 IB Diploma Physics subject guide, this pack explores the dynamic interplay between ecosystems and change, covering essential topics like natural… read more
