HS-PS4-4

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Evaluate the validity and reliability of claims in published materials of the effects that different frequencies of electromagnetic radiation have when absorbed by matter.

Clarification statement: Emphasis is on the idea that photons associated with different frequencies of light have different energies, and the damage to living tissue from electromagnetic radiation depends on the energy of the radiation. Examples of published materials could include scientific journals, trade books, magazines, web resources, videos, and other passages that may reflect bias.

Assessment boundary: Assessment is limited to qualitative descriptions.

Note: this is a performance expectation for both HS chemistry and HS physics. The focus will vary based on which class this standard is being taught in.

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.

Level 5Level 4Level 3Level 2Level 1

Gather and evaluate a variety of valid and reliable sources to formulate a claim on the effects that different frequencies of electromagnetic radiation have when absorbed by matter, citing qualitative evidence with scientific reasoning.

Evaluate the validity and reliability of claims in published materials of the effects that different frequencies of electromagnetic radiation have when absorbed by matter.

Make and support a claim, using scientific and/or technical information, that describes the effects of a frequency and/or wavelength of electromagnetic radiation when absorbed by matter.

Use information that provides evidence to support a claim that describes the effects of different frequencies, relative energies, and/or wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation when absorbed by matter.

Based on evidence, identify the frequency, wavelength, relative energy, or effect on matter of electromagnetic radiation when one of these is provided.

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of HS-PS4-4.

This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.

Assessment

What assessment of HS-PS4-4 might look like on a NY state exam.

This section could be expanded upon. You can help out by adding to this section.

NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation HS-PS4-4 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

• Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
  • Evaluate the validity and reliability of multiple claims that appear in scientific and technical texts or media reports, verifying the data when possible.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

• PS4.B: Electromagnetic Radiation
  • When light or longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation is absorbed in matter, it is generally converted into thermal energy (heat). Shorter wavelength electromagnetic radiation (ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays) can ionize atoms and cause damage to living cells.

Crosscutting Concepts

• Cause and Effect
  • Cause and effect relationships can be suggested and predicted for complex natural and human designed systems by examining what is known about smaller scale mechanisms, within the system.

Page contributors: Caroline Leonard, Conrad Richman

Chemistry and Physics | HS. Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation