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LessonGrades 10 - 12

Electromagnetic Radiation

A diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum shows different types of electromagnetic radiation ordered by increasing frequency (in hertz). The most familiar form of electromagnetic radiation is visible light (center), with infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) light on either side. The higher frequencies of EM radiation (right) consisting of x-rays and gamma rays, are types of ionizing radiation. Lower frequency radiation (left), consisting of light, infrared (IR), microwave (MW), radio frequency (RF), and extremely low frequency (ELF) are types of non-ionizing radiation.Ultraviolet is a type of electromagnetic radiation that can lead to risks of skin cancer.

Students are presented with a hypothetical scenario that delivers the unit's Grand Challenge Question: To apply an understanding of nanoparticles to treat, detect and protect against skin cancer. Towards finding a solution, they begin the research phase by investigating the first research question: What is electromagnetic energy? Students learn about the electromagnetic spectrum, ultraviolet radiation (including UVA, UVB and UVC rays), photon energy, the relationship between wave frequency and energy (c = λν), as well as about the Earth's ozone-layer protection and that nanoparticles are being used for medical applications. The lecture material also includes information on photo energy and the dual particle/wave model of light. Students complete a problem set to calculate frequency and energy.

As the first step in the engineering design process, engineers must fully understand the problem. To do this, they research all relevant science and math concepts, as well as all previous and current engineering designs related to the subject. As students tackle the challenge question, they learn background information on the science of ultraviolet light. They also learn about the impact of human-generated pollution on the ozone layer and its connection to public health through increased incidences of skin cancer—an environmental engineering connection. In addition, they learn that biomedical engineers are researching ways to use nanoparticles to diagnose and treat cancer because they are good imaging agents.

After this lesson, students should be able to:

  • Calculate frequency or wavelength for electromagnetic radiation.
  • Calculate the energy of a photon.
  • List components of the electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing energy.
  • Explain that energy given to an electron is quantized.
  • Explain what biomedical engineers study.

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