| Method |
Precise Learning Objective |
Linked |
Question / Activity
(Designed for maximum working out) |
Stepping Stones |
Pitstop Check
(Thinking Map) |
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Each colour within the visible light spectrum has its own narrow band of wavelength and frequency. |
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(Physics Only) How is the light in the visible light spectrum different? |
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Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves that transfer energy from the source of the waves to an absorber. |
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(Physics Only)What types of waves are electromagnetic? Show that the microwaves that heat a bar of chocolate are transverse.
Review learning using the Phet animation: https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/legacy/microwaves
Ask students to prepare a commentary for the animation in pairs. |
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Electromagnetic waves form a continuous spectrum. |
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(Physics Only) What type of spectrum do Electromagnetic waves form? Tell students all EM waves have the same properties, ask them to recall what they know about the properties of light from KS3 using images to prompt them (reflection, refraction, diffraction) |
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All types of electromagnetic wave travel at the same velocity through a vacuum (space) or air. |
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(Physics Only) What type of speed to electromagnetic waves travel? Show the bell ringing in the bell jar. Link visible light as EM wave travelling through air and vacuum at same speed (still see the bell) but show sound cannot |
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The waves that form the electromagnetic spectrum are grouped in terms of their wavelength and their frequency. |
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(Physics Only) How are the electromagnetic waves grouped? Student sketch their own diagram of the EM spectrum and annotate to show the changing wavelength and frequency. |
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Going from long to short wavelength (or from low to high frequency) the groups are: radio, microwave, infrared, visible light (red to violet), ultraviolet,
X-rays and gamma rays. |
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What is the order of electromagnetic waves from biggest wavelength to shortest wavelength? **combined classes teach this in lesson 6**
Introduce the EM waves using the EM song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uviPeK_d5yc
Check they know it using the karaoke version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H8HjxGtoXw |
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Our eyes only detect visible light and so detect a limited range of electromagnetic waves. |
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(Physics Only) What type of electromagnetic waves do human eyes detect? |
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Electromagnetic waves have many practical applications. For example:
- radio waves - television and radio
- microwaves - satellite communications, cooking food
- infrared - electrical heaters, cooking food, infrared cameras
- visible light - fibre optic communications
- ultraviolet - energy efficient lamps, sun tanning
- X-rays and gamma rays - medical imaging and treatments. |
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List the practical applications of electromagnetic waves. **combined classes teach this in lesson 6**
Watch the video on how UV waves are used to produce images of unborn babies. Create a thinking map to help you answer.
EW: How are EM waves used in medical imaging?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvbXHoiQHbI |
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