Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Physics
Lesson Topic: understand how ultrasound waves are generated and detected by a piezoelectric transducer
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the piezoelectric effect and how it enables ultrasound generation and detection.
  • Explain the role of resonant frequency, coupling factor, matching layer, and backing material in transducer performance.
  • Calculate basic ultrasound parameters such as spatial pulse length and Doppler shift.
  • Analyse how ultrasound is applied in medical imaging and industrial testing.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen for slides
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Handouts of transducer diagram and key equations
  • Calculator or spreadsheet software
  • Sample piezoelectric crystal or demonstration video
  • Worksheets with practice questions
 Introduction:
Begin with a short video clip of a medical ultrasound scan to capture interest. Recall students' prior knowledge of wave properties such as frequency and amplitude. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to describe how a piezoelectric transducer generates and detects ultrasound and solve simple quantitative problems.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): quick quiz on wave terminology (frequency, wavelength); teacher checks answers.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): explain the piezoelectric effect and generation mechanism using a diagram.
  3. Demonstration (10'): show a piezo crystal demo or simulation of voltage‑induced vibration; discuss resonant frequency and coupling factor.
  4. Guided practice (12'): students calculate spatial pulse length and Doppler shift from a worksheet.
  5. Group discussion (8'): analyse how matching layers improve transmission; students sketch a transducer cross‑section.
  6. Application activity (10'): case study comparing medical imaging and NDT; identify key transducer parameters.
  7. Formative check (5'): exit ticket – one sentence summarising how detection works.
Conclusion:
Summarise that piezoelectric crystals convert electrical energy to acoustic waves and back, and that design features control efficiency and resolution. Ask students to complete an exit ticket describing one application of ultrasound. For homework, assign the practice questions from the source and a short research task on emerging ultrasound technologies.