UP:SC15.8.19

Vocabulary

  • Qualitative
  • Information
  • Communication devices (e.g., cellular phone, Global Positioning System (GPS), remote control, Wi-Fi, etc.)
  • Electromagnetic waves
  • Energy
  • Energy wave
  • Electric field
  • Magnet
  • Magnetic field
  • Mechanical wave
  • Vacuum
  • Frequency
  • Wavelength
  • Crest
  • Medium
  • Amplitude
  • Displacement
  • Rest position
  • Encode
  • Transmit

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Electromagnetic waves are a form of energy waves that have both an electric and magnetic field. Electromagnetic waves are different from mechanical waves in that they can transmit energy and travel through a vacuum.
  • The different types of electromagnetic waves have different uses and functions in our everyday lives.
  • Electromagnetic waves differ from each other in wavelength, frequency, and energy, and are classified accordingly. Wavelength is the distance between one wave crest to the next.
  • Frequency refers to how often the particles of the medium vibrate when a wave passes through the medium
  • The amount of energy carried by a wave is related to the amplitude of the wave. A high energy wave is characterized by a high amplitude; a low energy wave is characterized by a low amplitude. The amplitude of a wave refers to the maximum amount of displacement of a particle on the medium from its rest position.
  • Electromagnetic waves can be used to encode information.
  • Electromagnetic waves can be used to transmit information.
  • Examples of common communication devices may include cellular telephones, radios, remote controls, Wi-Fi components, global positioning systems (GPS), and wireless technology components.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Gather evidence sufficient to explain a phenomenon that includes the idea that using waves to carry digital signals is a more reliable way to encode and transmit information than using waves to carry analog signals.
  • Combine the relevant information (from multiple sources) to articulate the explanation.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Common communication devices use electromagnetic waves to encode and transmit information.

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Crosscutting Concepts

Structure and Function
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