2.01 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Introduction Tab:
Electromagnatic energy travels in _______________________.
Electromagnetic waves are ___________________ waves. Hint: What kind of waves are electomagnetic
waves?
Energy from electromagnetic waves is called ________________________ ________________.
Use the picture that is on the Introduction Tab to list the different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum
in order from the lowest energy waves to the highest energy waves .
1) Radio waves (lowest energy)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7) Gamma waves (highest energy)
Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum can we see? ____________________________________
Lessons Tab:
The ___________ is the highest point on a wave.
The __________ is lowest point on a wave.
The __________ is the distance between two of the same points on a wave.
Draw a wave below. Label the crest, trough and wavelength.
The higher the frequency the more _____________ that is carried by the wave.
The _____________ the wavelength, the higher the frequency of the wave. The ____________ the frequency, the
greater the energy of the wave.
List three examples of high energy waves that are harmful to living things: _______________________,
______________________________, _____________________________
2.02 Light and 2.03 Light Lab
Read the Introduction tab, then move to the lesson tab. Click on the “Lab” button
at the top of the screen for the virtual research station. Then click on the prism to
watch the short video lesson on visible light.
The only part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we can see with our eyes is ___________ __________. Visible
light seems to be __________ or colorless. Visible light can be separated out into different wavelengths. The
individual wavelengths are seen as different colors. Visible light includes all of the different colors of the
rainbow. Here they are listed in order from the longest wavelength to the shortest wavelength: red,
orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. In the visible light spectrum, red has the longest
wavelength and violet has the shortest.
Click on the polar bear pictures and define the terms below:
Reflection –
Refraction-
AbsorptionRead below the polar bear pictures to complete the sentences below:
Objects reflect light. The wavelength of light that is ___________ determines the color we see.
If you see this as red, then all of the other wavelengths in the visible spectrum (orange, yellow, green,
blue, indigo and violet) are being absorbed, and the wavelength of red is being ________________.
We see an object as black when all of the wavelengths in the visible spectrum are being _____________.
We see an object as white when all of the wavelengths in the visible spectrum are being _____________.
Go to the Activity tab and complete the practice activities before you attempt
the assessment for 2.02. Remember, you will also have questions about the information
in 2.01 on the assessment for 2.02.
2.04 Sound
Introduction Tab:
The ______________ measures the distance from the same point in two waves. Most often, a sound wave is
measured from ________ to _________.
_____________ is the number of waves that pass a point in a given time. Most often, frequency is measured by
the number of waves that pass a point in one ___________.
Sound waves are ____________ waves. A longitudinal wave is a wave that has vibrations that are moving in
the same direction as the waves itself (the vibrations caused by the wave are parallel to the direction the
wave is traveling). The red arrow below shows the direction of the vibrations and the blue arrow shows
the direction the wave is moving – notice how the two arrows are parallel.
Added Teacher Help: Sound is produced when an object vibrates. The vibrating object pushed the particles
of matter next to it and causes them to compress (squeeze together). That compressed matter, in turn,
compresses the matter next to it. The compression travels through the matter as a wave of energy. Sound
waves travel in all directions away from their source. In the diagram above, the close coils are the
compressions. The coils that are farther apart are relaxed.
Longitudinal waves (like sound waves) must travel through a medium (any type of matter) and cannot
travel in a vacuum (a place where there is no matter- like space).
Lesson Tab:
Frequency is measured in ____________.
Amplitude is the height of a sound wave. Amplitude is measured in _____________.
Roll over the wave diagram to complete the next five statements:
Frequency determines the ___________.
___________ pitch means the wave is a high frequency wave.
________________ determines how loud wave is.
___________ amplitude waves sound loud.
__________ amplitude waves sound soft.
Click on the terms reflection, absorption and refraction to complete the following statements:
Reflection: When sound hits a surface some of it bounces back. When sound hits a hard surface a lot of
sound is reflected back. When sound waves hit a smooth surface they are reflected in __________ direction.
When sound waves hit a rough surface they are reflected back in __________ different directions.
Absorption: Sound can pass through or into a material; this is called absorption, because the material is
absorbing the vibrations of the sound wave as it passes through it or into it. In __________ frequency waves
more sound is absorbed.
Refraction: When sound travels from one material to another it can change direction. How much it
changes direction depends on the material that it is refracting off of. Sound travels faster in _______________
materials.
Added teacher help:
You have now studied two types of waves: electromagnetic waves and sound waves. Let’s compare and
contrast these two waves to see how they are similar and how they are different.
1. Both types of waves have a wavelength and frequency. Both types of waves can be reflected, refracted
and absorbed.
2. Light waves are transverse waves and sound waves are longitudinal waves.
3. Light waves can travel through matter and in a vacuum (a place where there is no matter) like outer
space. Sound waves can travel through matter, but can not travel in a vacuum. Think about that- this
means that there is no sound in space!
4. Light waves and sound waves travel at different speeds through different materials, but sound travels
much slower than light.
2.05 Heat Transfer and 2.06 Heat Transfer Lab
Teacher Help:
Heat is a form of energy. Heat can be transferred (moved) from one item or substance to another. For
heat to be transferred, the items or substances must be different temperatures. Heat energy is always
transferred from the warmer substance (the one with the higher temperature) to the cooler substance
(the one with the lower temperature).
Here is an example of heat transfer from higher to lower: Has an adult ever told you to close the door
because you were letting all the cool air out? Yes, of course – teens like to leave doors open and adults
like low power bills! Scientifically speaking, you aren’t letting all of the cool air out. You are letting the
heat in. Heat moves from the area of higher temperature – in this example outside – to the area of lower
temperature – in the house. I don’t recommend you share your new found knowledge when you get
caught leaving the door open – it’s probably best to wait for a time when you get caught being good!
Ok, are you ready to really get your brain working? Think about this: You take a can of soda from the
pantry and a glass from the cabinet. You pour the soda in the glass and then add several pieces of ice.
Here’s the question: Is the ice cooling the soda or is the soda heating the ice?
Call your teacher if you think you know the answer! You just might be able to get your oral assessment
done early!
Three types of heat transfer:
__________________is the transfer of heat from a warmer substance to a cooler substance that is in direct
contact with each other. Conduction occurs when two items are touching. Heat transfers faster in certain
objects than others. We call objects that transfer heat quickly conductors. Metals are good conductors.
___________________ is the transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves. When electromagnetic waves travel
through space it is called electromagnetic radiation. When electromagnetic radiation comes in contact
with an object, the wave transfers the heat to that object. Examples: sunlight, heat from a camp fire, a
microwave, a light bulb.
__________________ is the transfer of heat in a liquid or a gas. Warmer gases or liquids are lighter than cooler
gases or liquids. Because the warm gas or liquid is lighter it rises above the cooler gas or liquid. The cool
gas or liquid sinks. This pattern continues in a somewhat circular motion and is called convection current.
2.07 Energy Conversions and 2.08 Energy Conversion Excursion
Energy is defined as the ability to do work. Sometimes it’s easier to describe what energy does that what
energy is. That is because, unlike matter, energy is not something you can see or touch. Energy is a
property of matter, and all matter has it. Whenever a light bulb is lit, a turkey is roasted, an orchestra
plays, a fan spins, a book falls off the shelf, or a fire burns, you can be sure that energy – in one form or
another – made it happen.
Energy comes in many different forms. While it can be transferred from one object or system to another
or converted from one form to another, energy cannot be created or destroyed. This rule is known as the
Law of Conservation of Energy. The law simply states that energy cannot be created or destroyed.
Mechanical energy is the energy an object has because of its motion or position. There are two kinds of
mechanical energy: kinetic and potential. Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because it is moving.
The greater the speed and mass of an object, the greater its kinetic energy. Potential energy is energy an
object has because of its position or shape.
Other forms of energy include the following:
Thermal energy(sometimes called heat energy) is the energy related to the temperature of a substance
or object.
Electromagnetic or Light energy is the energy carried by light and other kinds of electromagnetic
waves.
Chemical energy is the energy stored in chemical bonds.
Electrical energy is the energy produced by electric charges.
Nuclear energy is the energy contained in the nuclei of atoms.
Sound energy is the energy carried by sound waves.
Let’s look at some examples of energy being converted from one form to another.
Think about when you place a pot of water on the stove to boil. The electric energy that is being used to
turn the stove on is being converted to thermal energy (heat) then the heat is transferred to the pot
through conduction (remember that from 2.04?).
Have you ever stood close enough to a stereo speaker to feel the sound coming out or to see the speaker
vibrate? What you are seeing and feeling is sound energy being converted to kinetic energy. Remember,
kinetic energy is the energy of motion. When you feel the vibrations of air, you are feeling the sound
energy being converted to kinetic mechanical energy because it is causing the air molecules to move.
You have probably seen solar panels on top of a house before. These solar panels trap the
electromagnetic energy and thermal energy that is in the sun’s rays. When the panel traps this energy it is
converting it to stored chemical energy. When the house needs electricity, the stored chemical energy in
the solar panels is converted to electricity or electric energy.
Our bodies also store chemical energy in the form of fat. When we eat a salad for example, our bodies are
using the chemical energy that is stored in the plant (the plant got it’s energy from the sun). Whatever is
left over, our bodies store as potential chemical energy to use later. When we go for a run, our muscle
cells will convert the stored chemical energy to kinetic mechanical energy so that we can move. Some of it
is also converted to thermal energy, which is why we sweat!
Module 2 Review Questions
2.00 Welcome to Module 2
2.01 The Electromagnetic Spectrum

What types of waves make up the electromagnetic spectrum?

List some examples of electromagnetic waves?

What are the two different parts of a wave?

high energy waves = ___________ frequency = ___________ wavelength
There is a graphic organizer at the end of this lesson that you can save to refer back to, if needed.
2.02 Light/ 2.03 Light Lab

Know the terms refraction, reflection and absorption as they refer to the movement of light waves.

What conditions will cause light to bend?

Visible light is seen as white light, however, when it passes through a prism, we see multiple
colors, why does this happen?

Why do we see color?
2.04 Sound

What are sound waves and how do they travel?

Know how we measure waves: frequency, amplitude, and wavelength.

The wavelength of a wave can be found by measuring what?

How does a change in frequency or amplitude change the sound we hear?

Know the terms refraction, reflection and absorption as they refer to the movement of sound
waves.
2.05 Heat Transfer/2.06 Heat Transfer Lab

Know how heat is transferred: Convection, Conduction and Radiation

Why does heat move to an area of more energy to an area with less energy?

Determine if the following would be examples of convection, conduction, or radiation, and why:
* Cooking dinner in the oven –
* Touching a hot spoon with your hand –
* A heat lamp heating your food in a fast food restaurant –

How does the addition or removal of heat change the state of an object? (For example: changing
from an ice cube, to water, to steam.)
2.07 Energy Conversions/ 2.08 Energy Conversion Excursion

What does the Law of Conservation of Energy state?

List and review the 7 types of energies discussed in the lesson. Describe chemical, sound and
thermal energies in detail.

Why is it so important to discover other forms of renewable energy, to replace fossil fuels?
2.09 Collaborative Project
2.10 Oral Exam
2.11 Module 2 Exam
Students completing the Advanced coursework will complete
the 2.11Advanced Exam instead of this exam.
***************** ADVANCED STUDENTS ONLY *****************
2.04 Advanced: The Doppler Effect

How do sound waves change when they are coming from a moving source?

Be able to explain: frequency shift, blue shift, and red shift.
2.06 Advanced: What is Heat?

What does a heating curve represent?
1. walk to your room; pick-up MP3 player, turn it on all represent chemical energy in body cells to
mechanical/kenetic energy
2. Turn on the MP3 player – stored chemical energy (also potential energy) to converted to electrical
energy
3. Electrical energy in the MP3 player is converted to sound energy heard in head phones.
4. Smiling and all the muscles used to dance and sing represent chemical energy in cells to
mechanical/kenetic energy
5. “getting hot” represents the mechanical energy in muscle movement converting to thermal energy
6. Turn on fan – electrical energy converted to mechanical energy
7. Singing mechanical energy in muscles is converted to sound energy
8. Umbrella sitting in corner has potential energy that is converted to kenetic (mechanical energy) as it
“becomes” an air guitar.
You should be ready to do your assessment for this lesson. If you have any questions, please
contact your teacher!
There is a small file to help you with this assignment. If you need it, ask your teacher where you
can find it!