How are different types of radiation arranged along the electromagnetic spectrum?

By the amount of energy they carry

What is the difference between a wave and a particle?

A particle is a discrete unit of energy; a wave is a continuous flow of energy

A wave carries energy; a particle carries light

A wave moves at the speed of light; a particle can move at a range of speeds

A wave carries electricity; a particle carries a magnetic charge

Astronomers often scan the sky using devices called radio telescopes. What can you conclude about these devices?

They pick up the radio waves emitted by stars.

a. They send radio broadcasts out to distant stars and planets. b. c. d.

They are less powerful than optical telescopes.

They can detect ultraviolet radiation.

What might happen if the ozone layer did not block the sun's ultraviolet rays?

Rates of skin cancer would skyrocket

Humans would be able to see in the ultraviolet range of the EM spectrum

Devices that use electromagnetic radiation would no longer work

The surface of the earth would be much hotter

What produces electromagnetic radiation?

Electrons bonding with other atoms

Electrons leaving the atomic nucleus

Electrons becoming protons or neutrons

Brainpop! The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Quiz

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Science

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5th - 7th Grade

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Practice Problem

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Hard

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NGSS

HS-PS4-3, HS-PS4-1, HS-PS4-4

Standards-aligned

Robin Scarrell

Used 238+ times

FREE Resource

About this resource

This quiz focuses on the electromagnetic spectrum, a fundamental physics concept that bridges middle school physical science and introductory high school physics. Based on the complexity of the questions and the conceptual reasoning required, this material is most appropriate for grades 6-8, with potential use in grade 5 for advanced students. Students must understand that electromagnetic radiation exists as both waves and particles, that different types of radiation carry varying amounts of energy, and that all electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light but differ in wavelength, frequency, and energy content. The quiz requires students to sequence electromagnetic radiation types from lowest to highest energy (radio waves, visible light, gamma rays), analyze real-world applications like radio telescopes and thermography, and connect electromagnetic properties to practical concerns such as UV radiation's health effects. Students need foundational knowledge of atomic structure, particularly how electrons changing energy levels produce electromagnetic radiation, as well as the ability to make inferences about scientific terminology and evaluate cause-and-effect relationships in electromagnetic phenomena. Created by Robin Scarrell, a Science teacher in the US who teaches grades 5 and 7, this quiz serves as an excellent formative assessment tool for students studying electromagnetic radiation and wave properties. Teachers can effectively use this quiz as a post-lesson review after introducing the electromagnetic spectrum through videos or direct instruction, or as a pre-assessment to gauge student understanding before diving deeper into wave-particle duality and electromagnetic applications. The quiz works particularly well for homework assignments that reinforce classroom learning about electromagnetic radiation types, their properties, and real-world applications in technology and astronomy. This assessment strongly supports Next Generation Science Standards MS-PS4-2 (developing and using models to describe wave properties) and MS-PS4-3 (integrating qualitative information to show that electromagnetic radiation can be described as a wave carrying energy), while also connecting to MS-ETS1-1 through its emphasis on how electromagnetic radiation enables various technologies that solve human problems.

Brainpop! The Electromagnetic Spectrum

10 questions

How are different types of radiation arranged along the electromagnetic spectrum?

What is the difference between a wave and a particle?

Place the following types of EM radiation in order, from lowest energy to highest energy: A) Visible light; B) Gamma rays; C) Radio waves

Which of the following transmits information using microwaves?

Astronomers often scan the sky using devices called radio telescopes. What can you conclude about these devices?

Tim mentions that infrared radiation can be used to take special pictures called thermographs. "Graph" means "image." What can you infer about the prefix "thermo?"

What might happen if the ozone layer did not block the sun's ultraviolet rays?

Which word best describes gamma rays?

What do all forms of electromagnetic radiation have in common?

What produces electromagnetic radiation?

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