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Nature of Light: Light as Waves
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Details

Type of Product:Science Object
Average Rating:
 based on 4 reviews
Publication Title:Nature of Light SciPack
Grade Level:Elementary School, Middle School


Description

Science Objects are two hour on-line interactive inquiry-based content modules that help teachers better understand the science content they teach. This Science Object is the second of four Science Objects in the Nature of Light SciPack. It provides conceptual and real world understanding of the idea that waves (including sound and seismic waves, waves on water, and light waves) have energy and can transfer energy when they interact with matter. Wave behavior can be described in terms of how fast the disturbance propagates, and of the distance between successive crests or troughs of the wave (the wavelength). Accelerating electric charges produce electromagnetic waves which can be organized into a spectrum of varying wavelengths (and frequencies): radio waves, microwaves, radiant heat or infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, and gamma rays. These wavelengths vary from radio waves (the longest) to gamma rays (the shortest). Human eyes only respond to a narrow range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation—what we call visible light. In empty space, electromagnetic waves of all wavelengths move at the same speed—the "speed of light."


Ideas For Use

Science Objects are two hour learning experiences teachers can use to enhance their understanding of a particular scientific concept. Teachers can access any topic “on demand” from the Internet. Topics are based on the science literacy goals in the national standards (NSES, Science for All Americans, Benchmarks, and the Atlas of Scientific Literacy) and tied to state standards.

Each Science Object provides an understanding of the science content by providing a structured set of learning experiences through simulations and practice assessments. Science Objects challenge teachers to explore and explain real world phenomena and are founded on the principle that learners must be challenged with a problem, observation, data, etc., in order to develop scientific understanding. Science Objects utilize the five phases of inquiry-based learning: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate.

Learning Outcomes:
  • Provide examples of energy transfer by light (such as tanning, light warming a surface, solar cells, etc.)
  • Describe the characteristics of transverse waves and explain how waves transfer energy from place to place.
  • Describe the relationship between the wavelength and frequency of light waves.
  • Explain how electromagnetic waves are produced either in nature or by humans.
  • Identify the various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum, and place them in order of increasing or decreasing wavelength.
  • Determine the behavior of two light waves that interfere with one another.

Additional Info

Science Discipline: (mouse over for full classification)
Energy transfer
Absorption
Reflection
Refraction
Transmission
Intended User Role:Elementary-Level Educator, Middle-Level Educator, Teacher
Educational Issues:Inquiry learning, Teacher content knowledge

Technical

Resource Format:application/x-shockwave-flash, audio/mp3, image/gif, image/jpeg, text/html, video/quicktime
Installation Remarks:Run the Science Objects System Check to ensure that your system is capable of viewing the simulations: http://ecommerce2.nsta.org/system_check/
Requirements:Requires Macromedia Flash Player and Apple Quicktime Player


National Standards Correlation

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This resource has 1 correlations with the National Standards.  
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  • Process Standards for Professional Development
    • Research-Based
      • Address teachers' needs as learners and build on their current knowledge of science content, teaching, and learning. (NSES)


Customer Reviews
good review
  Reviewed by: Morgan Burks (warrensburg, MO) on May 1, 2013
  this article is a really good review on light. I would like to use this right before I teach a unit on light so that I can review the information I will be teaching.

Wave Goodbye
  Reviewed by: Duane Little (Washington, DC) on January 10, 2012
  This Science Object brought clarity to the topic of waves, using light waves as the primary basis for understanding. The discussion of wave phenomena and how they interact with each other was quite enlightening. The use of light waves for various practical applications such as heating food in a microwave or killing cancerous cells would be useful when explaining the conceptual framework of this topic to my students. NSTA Resources ROCK!

Great inquiry learning
  Reviewed by: Brandy Stewart on December 30, 2011
  This Science Guide made me think about all of the things I have learned about light and sound waves and apply it in a different way. It is fun learning some of this content from a pedagogical standpoint rather than a college major standpoint. This one really made me think!

Nature of Science: Light as Waves
  Reviewed by: Sue Garcia on June 19, 2011
  This Science Object is an excellent way to either review or start your content knowledge with in a Unit on Light. This is the second part of a four part series. This second part dealt with familiarizing the teacher with the electromagnetic spectrum. The first Science Object dealt with how light travels. I recommend this Object to Middle School and High School teachers.

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