Lesson One Topics

Lesson One Overview
Waves and Their Characteristics
Types of Waves
A Brief History of Light
Electromagnetic Waves
Waves and Energy
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Conclusion

	Activities and Quizzes

Lesson One : Overview

Waves, light and the electromagnetic spectrum

This lesson introduces students to the basics of waves and their characteristics. It includes a brief summary of the history leading up to the discovery that light is a transverse electromagnetic wave and shows how this advance in our understanding of light led to the formulation of the electromagnetic spectrum. The lesson concludes with a brief overview of the spectrum and the characteristics of each region.

Standards

This lesson highlights some components of the National Science Education Content Standards:

• Standard B: Physical Science, 9-12
• Standard G: History and Nature of Science, 9-12

Grade Levels

• 9-12

Objectives

• Define wavelength, period, frequency, amplitude, and wave speed.
• Define and recognize the differences between transverse and longitudinal waves.
• Identify major scientists who studied the phenomenon of light and contributed to our current knowledge of it and briefly describe each scientist’s major contribution.
• Identify light as a type of transverse wave known as an electromagnetic wave.
• Give the speed at which light (and other forms of electromagnetic radiation) travel in a vacuum.
• Explain how light travels through space without a requiring a medium.
• Give the equation that relates the speed of a wave to its wavelength and frequency.
• Explain the qualitative relationship between a wave's wavelength/frequency and its energy.
• List the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum from highest energy to lowest energy.