Surfing the Galactic Wave
8 th Grade Physical Science Module Overview
Topic: Electromagnetic Radiation
Grade Level: 8
Course: Research and Critical Thinking – Middle School
Time Allotted: 13 days
Prior Knowledge: Students should have some knowledge of waves and some algebra background,
in particular understanding how variables work in equations. They should be aware of Newton’s 3rd Law,
and recall how waves look on a body of water such as a pond, lake, or ocean.
Overview: Students will explore and apply what they learn about electromagnetic radiation. They will
examine the characteristics of waves and record the length of waves, and create a periscope, a
spectroscope, and a telescope to further their understanding. The culminating activity for this lesson
involves looking at various objects in the solar system and analyzing the types of waves that can be
detected. It is important throughout these lessons that students understand that ALL properties of
waves they learn about apply to ALL types of waves on the electromagnetic spectrum, not just the
visible rays.
Vocabulary
Amplitude: the size or magnitude of a wave
Constellation: A geometric pattern of bright stars that appear grouped in the sky, and which are
named after gods, heroes, animals, and mythological beings by ancient astronomers
Crest: the highest point in a wave
Electromagnetic Spectrum: The entire range of all the various kinds of radiation; light (or the visible
spectrum) comprises just one small segment of this much broader spectrum.
Frequency: The number of crests of cycles (or vibrations) of a wave in a given unit of time, usually
measured in units of Hertz (one oscillation per second).
Gamma ray: Electromagnetic radiation with the smallest known wavelengths and the highest
frequencies
Infrared: Electromagnetic radiation with slightly longer wavelengths and slightly smaller frequencies
than those of visible light
Intensity: The magnitude or strength of a quantity (usually, of radiation)
Micrometer: Unit of length equivalent to 1/1,000,000 meter (one millionth meter) (1 x 10-6)
Microwave: Electromagnetic radiation which has a longer wavelength (between 1 mm and 30 cm) than
visible light
Nanometer: Unit of length equivalent to 1/1,000,000,000 meter (one billionth meter) (1 x 10-9)
8th Grade “Surfing the Galactic Wave” Module Overview Page 1
Radiation: A form of energy, consisting of mass-less particles called photons that travel at the speed of
light, and of which visible light itself is a special kind of radiation
Radio: the part of the electromagnetic spectrum whose radiation has the longest wavelengths and
smallest frequencies
Spectrum: the entire range of all the various kinds of radiation; light (or the visible spectrum)
comprises just one small segment of this much broader spectrum.
Trough: the lowest point in a wave
Ultraviolet rays: electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths shorter than the violet end of visible light;
the atmosphere of the Earth effectively blocks the transmission of most ultraviolet light
Visible spectrum: the narrow range of wavelengths (400 nm to 700 nm) in the electromagnetic
spectrum to which the human eye is sensitive; namely visible light
Wave: a disturbance that moves from one place to another
Wavelength: the distance between successive crests on a wave
X-ray: The part of the electromagnetic spectrum whose radiation has somewhat greater frequencies
and smaller wavelengths than those of ultraviolet radiation; namely, that radiation lying
between ultraviolet and gamma-ray in the electromagnetic spectrum.
8th Grade “Surfing the Galactic Wave” Module Overview Page 2
Materials
DAY 1
LCD projector
Computer
Plain paper for creating vocabulary foldable
Scissors
DAYS 2-3
Computer
Set of red, green and violet pencils per
every 3 students
Meter stick or metric ruler
Scissors
4 Books
Watch with second hand
Masking tape
Extra pencils
Data tape (paper roll from adding
machines)
DAY 4-5
Flat plan mirrors – 2 per student group
2 blocks of wood 8”
2 mirror tiles, 1 foot square
Duct tape
Heavy cardboard
Tracing patterns (from activity pdf)
Pencils
White paper
Protractor
Cardboard tubes such as from paper towel
or mailing tube
2 flat mirrors that fit in tube (can be the
same ones used earlier if they fit in
tube)
Wooden supports
Scotch tape
DAYS 6-7
2 different diffraction files (found at hobby
store $2.50 ea)
Spectroscope – 1 per 4 students
Various light sources: flashlight, laser light,
incandescent light bulb, fluorescent
light bulb, etc
CDs
Crayons
DAYS 8-9
Incandescent lamp
Fluorescent lamp
Cadmium lamp or some lamp different from
the ones above
Glass prism
Acrylic plastic prism
Variety of transparent filters of cellophane
of different colors
DAY 10-11
Paper mailing tube: 1 inside tube and 1
outside tube
Flat Styrofoam tray
Rubber cement
Lenses (convex and concave)
Metric ruler
Razor blade knife
Cutting surface
Marker
Fine grade sandpaper
Electric holiday candle or other small light
source
White paper
Makeup mirror
DAY 12-13
Projector
Computer
8th Grade “Surfing the Galactic Wave” Module Overview Page 3
Science Standards
Big Idea 1: The Practice of Science
Big Idea 2: The Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge
Big Idea 3: The Role of Theories, Laws, Hypotheses, and Models
Big Idea 5: Earth in Space and Time
SC.8.E.5.1 Recognize that there are enormous distances between objects in space and apply our
knowledge of light and space travel to understand this distance.
SC.8.E.5.2
Recognize that the universe contains many billions of galaxies and that each galaxy contains
many billions of stars.
SC.8.E.5.3
Distinguish the hierarchical relationships between planets and other astronomical bodies
relative to solar system, galaxy, and universe, including distance, size, and composition.
SC.8.E.5.5
Describe and classify specific physical properties of stars: apparent magnitude (brightness),
temperature (color), size, and luminosity (absolute brightness).
SC.8.E.5.10 Assess how technology is essential to science for such purposes as access to outer space
and other remote locations, sample collection, measurement, data collection and storage,
computation, and communication of information.
SC.8.E.5.11 Identify and compare characteristics of the electromagnetic spectrum such as wavelength,
frequency, use, and hazards and recognize its application to an understanding of planetary
images and satellite photographs.
SC.8.E.5.12 Summarize the effects of space exploration on the economy and culture of Florida.
Math Standards
Big Idea 1: (linear functions and equations)
Analyze and represent linear functions, and solve linear equations and systems of linear equations
MA.8.A.1.5 Translate among verbal, tabular, graphical, and algebraic representations of linear
functions.
MA.8.A.1.6 Compare the graphs of linear and non-linear functions for real-world situations.
Supporting Idea 6: Number and Operations
MA.8.A.6.1 Use exponents and scientific notation to write large and small numbers and vice versa and
to solve problems.
MA.8.A.6.4 Perform operations on real numbers (including integer exponents, radicals, percents,
scientific notation, absolute value, rational numbers, and irrational numbers) using multistep and real world problems.
8th Grade “Surfing the Galactic Wave” Module Overview Page 4
References
CollectingElectromagneticRadiation.pdf pages 57-61
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/319889main_Collecting_Electromagnetic_Radiation.pdf
Frayer Model Instructions.pdf
teacher-created,
Images of the Sun including 3D image
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sdo/news/first-light.html
Multiwavelength Astronomy Gallery 1
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_classroom/multiwavelength_astronomy/multiwavelength
_museum/solarsys.html
Multiwavelength Astronomy Gallery 2
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_classroom/multiwavelength_astronomy/multiwavelength
_museum/
OpticsGuide.pdf - Activities: 1-3, 6-9, 11-12,15
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/58258main_Optics.Guide.pdf
Radar, Radio Waves and Light Video
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/topnav/materials/listbytype/Radar_Radio_Waves.html
ROYGBIV Data Chart.pdf, ROYGBIV Worksheet.pdf, ROYGBIV Student Guide.pdf, ROYGBIV Teacher
Notes.pdf
http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/teachers/lessons/roygbiv/roygbiv.html
Star Light Star Bright “Catch the Waves”
http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/light/index.html
Star Light Star Bright “Making Waves” Activity
http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/light/index.html
Star Light Star Bright “Teaching Tips”
http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/light/index.html
VocabularyFoldable.pdf
teacher-created
8th Grade “Surfing the Galactic Wave” Module Overview Page 5