SC.7.P.10.3

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Recognize that light waves, sound waves, and other waves move at different speeds in different materials.
General Information
Subject Area: Science
Grade: 7
Body of Knowledge: Physical Science
Idea: Level 1: Recall
Big Idea: Forms of Energy -

A. Energy is involved in all physical processes and is a unifying concept in many areas of science.

B. Energy exists in many forms and has the ability to do work or cause a change.

Date Adopted or Revised: 02/08
Content Complexity Rating: Level 1: Recall - More Information
Date of Last Rating: 05/08
Status: State Board Approved
Assessed: Yes
Test Item Specifications
  • Item Type(s): This benchmark may be assessed using: MC item(s)
    • Also Assesses
    SC.7.P.10.2     Observe and explain that light can be reflected, refracted, and/or absorbed.
  • Clarification :
    Students will describe and/or explain that waves move at different speeds through different materials.

    Students will explain that light waves can be reflected, refracted, and/or absorbed.
  • Content Limits :
    Items may assess the general relative order of wave speed in different phases but will not assess the motion of the particles in the substance.

    Items may assess pitch as related to frequency.

    Items will not assess color as related to wavelength.

    Items will not assess electromagnetic waves traveling in a vacuum.

    Items will not require calculations of wave speed through different materials.

    Items may address water waves but not in the context of water waves at the beach.

    Items will not assess the interaction of multiple waves.
  • Stimulus Attributes :
    None specified
  • Response Attributes :
    None specified
  • Prior Knowledge :
    Items may require the student to apply science knowledge described in the NGSSS from lower grades. This benchmark requires prerequisite knowledge from SC.3.P.10.1, SC.3.P.10.3, SC.3.P.10.4, SC.4.P.10.1, SC.4.P.10.3, and SC.5.P.10.1.
Sample Test Items (1)
  • Test Item #: Sample Item 1
  • Question: The diagram below demonstrates how a magnifying lens can make a penny appear larger.

    what property of the magnifying lens is most responsible for allowing it to magnify the penny?
  • Difficulty: N/A
  • Type: MC: Multiple Choice

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
2002070: M/J Comprehensive Science 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2002080: M/J Comprehensive Science 2, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003010: M/J Physical Science (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003020: M/J Physical Science, Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7820016: Access M/J Comprehensive Science 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 and beyond (current))
2002085: M/J Comprehensive Science 2 Accelerated Honors (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
2003030: M/J STEM Physical Science (Specifically in versions: 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
SC.7.P.10.In.3: Identify that light and sound travel in wave patterns.
SC.7.P.10.Su.3: Recognize that sound and light travel.
SC.7.P.10.Pa.3: Match light and sound to their sources.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

Battle of the Waves: Sound vs Light:

The student will collect, analyze, and interpret data to develop an understanding of how the speeds of sound and electromagnetic waves change through different mediums. Students will simulate and construct and explanation relating to how sound and electromagnetic waves move at different speeds through different mediums.

Type: Lesson Plan

Wave Speed Through Different Media:

Students will use dominoes to model the speed through a mechanical medium in the solid, liquid, and gas phase.

Type: Lesson Plan

Light Wave Interaction with Matter:


Light travels at an incredible fast speed and it allows us to see everything around us. It travels as a wave which interacts with different types of matter in a different way. This lesson is designed for 7th grade students to investigate the different ways in which light waves interact with matter. The type of matter depends on which state the object is in - solid, liquid or gas.
Note: The lesson covers only part of the standard addressed.

Type: Lesson Plan

Wave Movement, Is it more than just Medium?:

Students will discover that light waves and sound waves move at different speeds through different mediums through inquiry, observation and collaboration with peers.

Time needed to complete this lesson:
2 Block Periods
3 Regular Periods

Type: Lesson Plan

Concert Venue Building Materials MEA:

Students will analyze sets of data to determine what construction company proposal would be best suited for building an outdoor concert venue. Students will need to consider sound quality to the concert patrons, disturbances to the local community, and safety.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Type: Lesson Plan

Why is the sky blue?:

Students explore how light and sound waves travel in different materials.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorial

The Science of Sound:

Sounds are caused by vibrations. Learn how sound moves as compressional waves and travels at different speeds through different mediums in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Modeling Sound Waves Traveling through Different Mediums :

Let this teacher transfer some ideas about teaching wave and material properties to you. Then pass it on to someone else.

Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.

Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Teaching Idea

The Color of Ice:

This resource lets students look at double refraction, also known as birefringence. Birefringence is a process in which light moving in different directions, or polarizations, travels at different speeds within a material. Students will build a "sculpture" of wire and cellophane tape placed in different directions and will observe the effects of light and refraction.

Type: Teaching Idea

Text Resource

NASA Electromagnetic Spectrum:

This is a very interesting web site about the electromagnetic spectrum. It gives great background information and examples on the different types of waves.

Type: Text Resource

Tutorial

Speed of Light in Transparent Materials:

  • Study the relation between the speed of light and the refractive index of the medium it passes through.
  • Choose from a collection of materials with known refractive indices and obtain the speed of light as it passes through.
  • Learn why light-years are used as an astronomical measurement of distance.

Type: Tutorial

Virtual Manipulatives

Refraction of Light:

This resource is a virtual manipulative that allows the user to change the angle of incidence of light and select from a variety of materials, each of which has a different index of refraction, to demonstrate how light may be refracted.

Type: Virtual Manipulative

Bending Light Simulation:

This tool is useful for introducing students to the concept that light or electromagnetic waves pass through different substances at different speeds and in different directions.

Type: Virtual Manipulative

STEM Lessons - Model Eliciting Activity

Concert Venue Building Materials MEA:

Students will analyze sets of data to determine what construction company proposal would be best suited for building an outdoor concert venue. Students will need to consider sound quality to the concert patrons, disturbances to the local community, and safety.

Model Eliciting Activities, MEAs, are open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that are meant to reveal students’ thinking about the concepts embedded in realistic situations. Click here to learn more about MEAs and how they can transform your classroom.

Original Student Tutorials Science - Grades K-8

The Science of Sound:

Sounds are caused by vibrations. Learn how sound moves as compressional waves and travels at different speeds through different mediums in this interactive tutorial.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorial

The Science of Sound:

Sounds are caused by vibrations. Learn how sound moves as compressional waves and travels at different speeds through different mediums in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Virtual Manipulatives

Refraction of Light:

This resource is a virtual manipulative that allows the user to change the angle of incidence of light and select from a variety of materials, each of which has a different index of refraction, to demonstrate how light may be refracted.

Type: Virtual Manipulative

Bending Light Simulation:

This tool is useful for introducing students to the concept that light or electromagnetic waves pass through different substances at different speeds and in different directions.

Type: Virtual Manipulative

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.