8th Grade Science 2nd Marking Period 2021-2022
8.PS4: Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for
Information Transfer
Learning Goals:
1. I can develop and use models to represent the basic properties of waves including
frequency, amplitude, wavelength, and speed.
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I can explain how energy is transferred through waves.
I can use models to represent properties of waves.
I can distinguish between changes in frequency and amplitude in relation to pitch and volume.
I can make a correlation between the speed of a wave and the medium it passes through.
2. I can compare and contrast mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves based on
refraction, reflection, transmission, absorption, and their behavior through a vacuum and/or
various media.
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I can describe the differences and similarities of mechanical and electromagnetic waves.
I can explain the effects of mechanical and electromagnetic waves when exposed to a vacuum or other
media.
I can determine the refraction, reflection, transmission, absorption, and behavior of waves through
observation.
3. I can evaluate the role that waves play in different (digital and analog) communication
systems and understand how including how binary code is utilized in digital communication.
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I can analyze the effects waves have in communication and technology.
I can identify and explain the transfer of information in communication devices.
I can explain the conversion of digitizing information into wave pulses.
I can recognize how binary code is utilized in digital communication.
I can differentiate between digital and analog signals.
8.ETS1: Engineering Design
1. I can research and communicate information to describe how data from technologies
(telescopes, spectroscopes, satellites, and space probes) provide information about objects in
the solar system and universe.
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I can identify tools used to collect data about objects in the solar system.
I can evaluate the data collected from using telescopes, spectroscopes, satellites, and space probes.
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I can explain advances in technology used to observe patterns of motion in our universe.
8th Grade Science 2nd Semester 2021-2022
8.PS4: Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for
Information Transfer
8th Grade Vocabulary:
absorption
amplitude (intensity)
antinode
band
binary
communication
compression
constructive interference
continuous interference
crest
destructive interference
diffraction
disturbance
Doppler effect
electromagnetic (EM)
electromagnetic spectrum
force
frequency
friction
fundamental wave
gamma rays
harmonics
hertz
infrared waves
interference
light waves
longitudinal waves mechanical
medium (or media)
node
oscillation
peak
pitch
P-waves (compressional wave)
polarity
pulse
radiation
radio waves
rarefaction
reflection
refraction
resonance
S-waves (transverse wave)
scattering
seismic body wave
seismograph
sine wave (sinusoidal)
sound waves
standing wave
tension
transverse waves
trough
tuning fork
ultraviolet waves
velocity
vibration
visible
wave energy
wavelength
Essential Questions for Waves
1. How do waves transfer information?
2. How do waves vary?
3. How does a wave transport energy?
4. How do we experience waves in the real world?
5. How does your learning style help you learn science?
6. How does your learning style make it more difficult to learn science?
7. How can illustrations, diagrams, and images help you understand science?
8. How does graphed data help you learn and understand science?
9. Is science ever conclusive? Why or why not?
10. Why are scientific laws helpful to know?