HS-PS4-3 | Wave-Particle Duality
Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning behind the idea that electromagnetic radiation can be described either by a wave model or a particle model (quantum theory), and that for some situations one model is more useful than the other.
Clarification statement: Emphasis is on how the experimental evidence supports the claim and how a theory is generally modified in light of new evidence. Examples of a phenomenon could include resonance, interference, diffraction, and photoelectric effect.
Assessment boundary: Assessment of the photoelectric effect is limited to qualitative descriptions.
Assessment
What assessment of HS-PS4-3 might look like on a NY state exam.
| Exam | Cluster | Question |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | Kidney Stone Detection and Removal | Question 9 |
Performance Level Descriptions
PLDs communicate the knowledge and skills expected of students to demonstrate proficiency in each Learning Standard. NYS assessments classify student performance into one of five levels.
Vocabulary
Terms from the Physics Glossary that come from this standard or from the released exam questions that assess it.
- argument
- claim
- claims, evidence, and reasoning
- diffraction
- electromagnetic radiation
- energy
- evidence
- interaction
- interference
- light
- magnetic field
- microwaves
- particle model
- peaks and troughs
- photoelectric effect
- photon
- qualitative
- quantum theory
- radio
- refute
- relative phase
- relative position
- resonance
- scale (of a model)
- scientific reasoning
- solution
- support (a claim)
- system
- theory
- wave
- wave model
- waves can add or cancel
- amplification – June 2026
- constructive interference – June 2026
- energy level – June 2026
- excited electron – June 2026
- frequency – June 2026
- laser – June 2026
- radiation – June 2026
- stimulated emission – June 2026
- wave–particle duality – implied by "can be described either by a wave model or a particle model (quantum theory)"
Resources
Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of HS-PS4-3.
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NGSS Dimensions
Performance expectation HS-PS4-3 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:
- Engaging in Argument from Evidence
- Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning behind currently accepted explanations or solutions to determine the merits of arguments.
- PS4.A: Wave Properties
- Waves can add or cancel one another as they cross, depending on their relative phase (i.e., relative position of peaks and troughs of the waves), but they emerge unaffected by each other.
- PS4.B: Electromagnetic Radiation
- Electromagnetic radiation (e.g., radio, microwaves, light) can be modeled as a wave of changing electric and magnetic fields or as particles called photons. The wave model is useful for explaining many features of electromagnetic radiation, and the particle model explains other features.
- Systems and System Models
- Models (e.g., physical, mathematical, computer models) can be used to simulate systems and interactions - including energy, matter, and information flows – within and between systems at different scales.