1. The Electromagnetic Spectrum

2. Audience Special education to college preparatory chemistry students
Special education to college preparatory physics students

3. Goals Create Bohr models of atoms
Compare and contrast the various waves in the electromagnetic spectrum
Differentiate between the electromagnetic spectrum and the emission spectrum
Relate the emission spectrum to the Bohr model and current atomic theory on electrons

4. Standards
SCI.HS-PS1-1 - [Performance Expectation] - Use the periodic table as a model to predict the relative properties of elements based on the patterns of electrons in the outermost energy level of atoms.
SCI.HS-PS4-1 - [Performance Expectation] - Use mathematical representations to support a claim regarding relationships among the frequency, wavelength, and speed of waves traveling in various media.

5. Objectives Days 1 & 2
Compare and contrast wavelength, frequency, and energy of different types of electromagnetic waves
Relate those properties to real-life waves from gamma rays to radio waves

6. Progression: Day 1
Prior to the lesson, students watch the video “Electromagnetic Spectrum” to expose them to the material
They watch it through the website
Playposit requires the students to answer multiple choice questions as they view the video and provides immediate feedback to you and to them of their understanding so that misconceptions can be cleared up prior to class
Students measure wavelength, amplitude, and frequency on the worksheet “Wave Properties” – example shown here:
Additional Resources:
This is a link to an already completed Playposit video which gives
an excellent illustration of the different types of waves: Intro to Waves
Here is the raw link without questions: Intro to Waves

7. Progression: Day 2
Students continue practicing measuring waves through an online PHET simulation linked here for the google doc. Make a copy to edit the doc
The raw link for the simulation itself is here and it can be done on a google chromebook because no downloads are required
Students watch Bohr model video for homework in Playposit to introduce information for the next lesson
Here is the link for the raw video without questions

8. Objectives Day 3
Create the Bohr model of atoms in the first 2 periods of the periodic table
Calculate maximum valence electrons per shell in the Bohr model
Determine valence electron count and shell position based on periodic table reference

9. Progression: Day 3
Students practice Bohr model examples on personal white boards (or on personal paper)
Students identify number of valence electrons and shell number as
in the Bohr model as well as by periodic table location
Students complete the worksheet “Bohr Model Practice” in the
last 10 minutes of class
HW: Students watch the video titled “Emission Spectrum”
Here is the raw link without questions

10. Objectives Day 4
Compare and contrast the emission spectrum to the electromagnetic spectrum
Relate the emission spectrum to the Bohr model of the atom
Relate the emission spectrum to fireworks and colors emitted by elements

11. Progression: Day 4
Teacher reviews key concepts of the video on the emission spectrum to students
Students view discharge tubes through a prism to see the emission spectra of each
Students test different elements for different flame colors by burning various chlorides containing specific metals
Lab file found on website

12. Brain-Based Learning
Emotion: Students get really excited about the various flame colors and using fire
Sense and Meaning: Students find that it makes sense why the fireworks show different colors and it has personal meaning to them
Chunking: Students learn the spectrum and the model
separately before they are then combined