Themes: Diversity and Matter
Overview: In this unit, students study the nature and characteristics of electromagnetic radiation (EMR), using the wave and photon models of light.
Focusing Questions: What roles do electricity and magnetism play in EMR? Does EMR have a wave or a particle nature? What experimental evidence is required to decide whether EMR has a wave or a particle nature? What technological devices are used today as a result of investigating and applying electromagnetic phenomena?
General Outcomes: There are two major outcomes in this unit.
Students will:
1. explain the nature and behaviour of EMR, using the wave model
2. explain the photoelectric effect, using the quantum model.
Key Concepts: The following concepts are developed in this unit and may also be addressed in other units or in other courses. The intended level and scope of treatment is defined by the learning outcomes.
• speed of EMR
• propagation of EMR
• reflection
• refraction
• diffraction
• interference
• total internal reflection
• Snell’s law
• photoelectric effect
• Compton effect
Link to NOTES from www.studyphysics.ca