The Eye Wonder team learns how radio works. D.V. goes to a station and learns about the science and technology necessary to making a broadcast work.
Type of Activities: Post video worksheet.
Introduction: This is a follow up to the video that requires that the students have already studied electromagnetic and mechanical waves.
Background: There are two types of waves: mechanical and electromagnetic.
Mechanical waves are waves of motion. They transfer their energy by vibration, passing their movement from one atom to another by vibrations. In this way, the actual matter does not move with the waves, but the motion is passed from atom to atom, making it seem as if the medium through which the wave travels is actually moving itself. This is best seen in water where waves move from one end of a tank to another, yet a cork in the middle simply bobs up and down as the waves pass under it. Mechanical waves require matter to travel through, which is why sound cannot be heard in a vacuum such as space (sound is a mechanic wave with vibrations from the vocal cords being passed to air molecules, then to other air molecules until they reach the membrane of the eardrum which translates that vibration into a sound our brain can recognize).
The other type of wave, electromagnetic (EM), is the transfer of EM energy such as light, heat, and radiation. This energy also moves in a wave, but does not need matter to travel through. This is obvious as light and heat from the sun crosses the vacuum of space to reach the Earth. Radio waves, X-rays, and Microwaves are all examples of different types of EM radiation. The type of energy depends upon the length of the EM wave (the space between successive crests of a wave). From short to long: gamma rays, xrays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwaves, radio waves, cosmic rays.
Activity: This activity requires that the instructor has already taught the class about mechanical versus EM waves, as well as how to make a flow chart.
Materials: None
Procedures:
1. Using a sheet of paper, have the students make a flow chart diagram showing how the radio single goes from a provider, to a satellite, to a radio station, , to a tower, to a person's radio, through the speakers, and to a person's ears.
2. Students will need to label the type of waves in each stage, as well as if it is mechanical or EM.
Modifications: None
Original user guide developed/edited by: Dianne Gregory and Rhonda Raven, ITV
The Eye Wonder team learns how radio works. D.V. goes to a station and learns about the science and technology necessary to making a broadcast work.
Type of Activities: Post video worksheet.
Introduction: This is a follow up to the video that requires that the students have already studied electromagnetic and mechanical waves.
Background: There are two types of waves: mechanical and electromagnetic.
Mechanical waves are waves of motion. They transfer their energy by vibration, passing their movement from one atom to another by vibrations. In this way, the actual matter does not move with the waves, but the motion is passed from atom to atom, making it seem as if the medium through which the wave travels is actually moving itself. This is best seen in water where waves move from one end of a tank to another, yet a cork in the middle simply bobs up and down as the waves pass under it. Mechanical waves require matter to travel through, which is why sound cannot be heard in a vacuum such as space (sound is a mechanic wave with vibrations from the vocal cords being passed to air molecules, then to other air molecules until they reach the membrane of the eardrum which translates that vibration into a sound our brain can recognize).
The other type of wave, electromagnetic (EM), is the transfer of EM energy such as light, heat, and radiation. This energy also moves in a wave, but does not need matter to travel through. This is obvious as light and heat from the sun crosses the vacuum of space to reach the Earth. Radio waves, X-rays, and Microwaves are all examples of different types of EM radiation. The type of energy depends upon the length of the EM wave (the space between successive crests of a wave). From short to long: gamma rays, xrays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwaves, radio waves, cosmic rays.
Activity: This activity requires that the instructor has already taught the class about mechanical versus EM waves, as well as how to make a flow chart.
Materials: None
Procedures:
1. Using a sheet of paper, have the students make a flow chart diagram showing how the radio single goes from a provider, to a satellite, to a radio station, , to a tower, to a person's radio, through the speakers, and to a person's ears.
2. Students will need to label the type of waves in each stage, as well as if it is mechanical or EM.
Modifications: None
Original user guide developed/edited by: Dianne Gregory and Rhonda Raven, ITV
Standards
- Physical Science: Waves
- 8.P.3 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties and behaviors of waves.
- 8.P.3A Waves (including sound and seismic waves, waves on water, and light waves) have energy and transfer energy when they interact with matter. Waves are a repeating pattern of motion that transfers energy from place to place without overall displace...
- 8.P.3A.4 Analyze and interpret data to describe the behavior of mechanical waves as they intersect.
- 8.P.3A.6 Obtain and communicate information about how various instruments are used to extend human senses by transmitting and detecting waves (such as radio, television, cell phones, and wireless computer networks) to exemplify how technological advanc...
- 8.P.3A Waves (including sound and seismic waves, waves on water, and light waves) have energy and transfer energy when they interact with matter. Waves are a repeating pattern of motion that transfers energy from place to place without overall displace...
- 8.P.3 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties and behaviors of waves.
