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Physical Science – Waves & Electromagnetic Radiation

Students explore the concepts of wave properties, electromagnetic radiation and the models used to explain how light behaves and travels. Students learn about related information technologies and instrumentation.

Download the complete Physical Science – Waves & Electromagnetic Radiation framework to customize for your own planning.

Standards

  • MS-PS4-1. Develop a model and use mathematical representations to describe waves that includes frequency, wavelength, and how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave. 
  • MS-PS4-2. Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.  
  • MS-PS4-3. Integrate qualitative scientific and technical information to support the claim that digitized signals are a more reliable way to encode and transmit information than analog signals. 

Essential questions and big ideas of the unit

  • How do we use what we know about wave properties and light in everyday life?
    • A simple wave has a repeating pattern with a specific wavelength, frequency, and amplitude. (MS-PS4-1)  
    • A sound wave needs a medium through which it is transmitted. (MS-PS4-2)
    • When light shines on an object, it is reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through the object, depending on the object’s material and the frequency (color) of the light. (MS-PS4-2)  
    • The path that light travels can be traced as straight lines, except when it hits a surface between different transparent materials (e.g., air and water, air and glass) obliquely where the light path bends. (MS-PS4-2)  
    • A wave model of light is useful for explaining brightness, color, and the frequency-dependent bending of light at a surface between media. (MS-PS4-2) 
    • However, because light can travel through space, it cannot be a mechanical wave, like sound or water waves. (MS-PS4-2)
    • Digitized signals (sent as wave pulses) are a more reliable way to encode and transmit information. (MS-PS4-3) 

Download the complete Physical Science – Waves & Electromagnetic Radiation framework to customize for your own planning.