MS-PS4-2

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Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

Clarification statement: Emphasis is on both light and mechanical waves. Examples of models could include drawings, ray diagrams, simulations, and written descriptions. Materials could include plane, convex, and concave mirrors and biconvex and biconcave lenses.

Assessment boundary: Assessment is limited to qualitative applications pertaining to light and mechanical waves.

Grade 8 Science Test Questions

Released New York State Grade 8 science test questions that assess MS-PS4-2 are listed here by test and question cluster. Each link opens the question with its answer key.

Exam	Cluster	Question
Spring 2026 Grade 8 Test	Acoustic Levitation	Question 6
	Acoustic Levitation	Question 9
Spring 2024 Grade 8 Test	Energy Transfer by Waves	Question 2
	Energy Transfer by Waves	Question 3
	Energy Transfer by Waves	Question 4

Vocabulary

Terms from the Middle School Science Glossary that come from this standard or from the released Grade 8 Science Test questions that assess it.

From this standard

• absorption
• bending of light
• biconcave lens
• biconvex lens
• brightness
• color
• concave mirror
• convex mirror
• frequency
• lens
• light
• light wave
• material
• mechanical wave
• medium
• mirror
• model
• plane mirror
• ray diagram
• reflection
• simulation
• sound wave
• transmission
• transparent material
• wave
• wave model of light

From released test questions

• acoustic levitation – Spring 2026
• acoustic levitator – Spring 2026
• air particle – Spring 2026
• air pressure – Spring 2026
• angle of incidence – Spring 2024
• angle of reflection – Spring 2024
• claim – Spring 2024
• gas – Spring 2026
• light ray – Spring 2024
• liquid – Spring 2026
• matter – Spring 2026, Spring 2024
• metal – Spring 2024
• outer space – Spring 2026
• particle – Spring 2026
• sound – Spring 2026
• vacuum – Spring 2026
• vibration – Spring 2026
• visible light – Spring 2024

Implied by this standard

• refraction – implied by "the light path bends" at "surfaces between different transparent materials" and "the frequency-dependent bending of light"
• opaque and translucent materials – implied by "reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials" alongside the named "transparent materials"

Performance Level Descriptions

Every Grade 8 Science Test question on MS-PS4-2 is written to match one of the performance level descriptions (PLDs) below.

Level 1: Given a model, identify whether a wave is being reflected, absorbed or transmitted through one material. Spring 2026 Question 6, Spring 2024 Question 3

Level 2: Use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. Spring 2026 Question 9, Spring 2024 Question 2

Level 3: Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials. Spring 2024 Question 4

Level 4: Develop and use models to describe that light and mechanical waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.

Notice: PLD levels!

Resources

Examples and discussion of resources for the learning, teaching, and assessment of MS-PS4-2.

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

NGSS Dimensions

Performance expectation MS-PS4-2 was developed using the following elements from the NRC document A Framework for K-12 Science Education:

Science and Engineering Practices

• Developing and Using Model
  • Develop a model to describe phenomena.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

• PS4.A: Wave Properties
  • A sound wave needs a medium through which it is transmitted.
• PS4.B: Electromagnetic Radiation
  • When light shines on an object, it is reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through the object, depending on the object’s material and the frequency (color) of the light.
  • (NYSED) The path that light travels can be traced as straight lines, except at surfaces between different transparent materials (e.g., air and water, air and glass) where the light path bends.
  • A wave model of light is useful for explaining brightness, color, and the frequency-dependent bending of light at a surface between media.
  • (NYSED) However, because light can travel through space, it cannot be a mechanical wave, like sound or water waves.

Crosscutting Concepts

• Structure and Function
  • Structures can be designed to serve particular functions by taking into account properties of different materials, and how materials can be shaped and used.

Page contributors: Caroline Leonard, Conrad Richman, Shirley Shameen

MS | MS. Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation