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Wave Absorption — Reading Comprehension

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MS-PS4-2

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This engaging science passage for grades 6-8 explores the mechanism of wave absorption, where waves transfer energy to materials and often convert it into heat. Students will learn how the absorption of light, sound, and ultraviolet waves is essential in everyday life, from why dark clothes get hot in the sun to how soundproofing and sunscreen protect us. Aligned with NGSS standard MS-PS4-2, this resource integrates scientific thinking, cause-and-effect relationships, and real-world applications. The passage includes a differentiated version for accessibility, Spanish translations, glossary, comprehension quiz, writing activities, and graphic organizers. Teachers can use this passage for reading, discussion, and assessment, with audio integration support for diverse classrooms. The material reinforces core disciplinary ideas about wave energy and its effects, supporting students’ understanding of systems and interactions in physical science.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Absorption of waves is a key concept in understanding how energy moves through our world. When sunlight shines on a dark-colored shirt, the shirt becomes noticeably warmer than a light-colored one. This observation demonstrates how materials interact with waves and transform their energy. Scientists study absorption to design safer buildings, protective clothing, and even new medicines. Understanding how waves transfer energy through materials is essential for many technologies and daily life situations.

How Absorption Works
When a wave, such as light or sound, strikes a material, several things can happen: it can be reflected, transmitted, or absorbed. Absorption occurs when the energy of the wave is taken in by the material’s atoms or molecules. This process usually converts wave energy into thermal energy (heat). For example, when sunlight—a form of electromagnetic wave—hits a black shirt, the fabric’s molecules absorb more energy compared to a white shirt. Black materials can absorb up to 90% of visible light, while white materials reflect most of it. The absorbed energy increases the movement of molecules, raising the shirt’s temperature. In soundproof rooms, soft materials like foam absorb sound waves, reducing echoes by turning sound energy into tiny amounts of heat. The effectiveness of absorption depends on the material’s properties, thickness, and the wave’s frequency or wavelength.

Applications and Interactions
Absorption is not limited to light and sound. Sunscreen provides another example: it contains chemicals that absorb harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun before they can reach and damage your skin’s cells. Similarly, sunglasses use special coatings to absorb or block certain wavelengths of light, protecting our eyes. Engineers use the science of absorption to create insulation that keeps homes warm by absorbing infrared waves, or to develop better acoustic panels for theaters and classrooms. The interaction between wave energy and matter helps scientists solve problems ranging from noise pollution to energy efficiency.

Exceptions and Complexities
Not all waves are absorbed the same way. Some materials, like metal, reflect most waves and absorb little. Others, like glass, may allow light to pass through with minimal absorption but will absorb other types of waves, such as ultraviolet. The amount of energy absorbed can depend on the angle of incidence, the frequency of the wave, and the structure of the material. Scientists use precise measurements and experiments to test how different materials absorb various kinds of waves, leading to new materials with special properties.

Absorption is a fundamental part of how waves interact with matter, impacting technology, health, and our environment. By studying absorption, we can improve building designs, make safer products, and better understand natural processes. This concept connects to broader scientific ideas about energy transfer and conservation, showing how even invisible waves can change the world around us.

Interesting Fact:
Some animals, like the mantis shrimp, have body parts that absorb and reflect specific wavelengths of light, helping them communicate and survive in their environment!

What happens to the energy of a wave when it is absorbed by a material?

It is transformed, often into heatIt disappears completelyIt always reflects off the surfaceIt becomes visible light

Why does a black shirt get warmer than a white shirt in sunlight?

Black materials absorb more light energyWhite materials create more heatBlack shirts reflect all lightWhite shirts absorb ultraviolet rays

Which material is most likely to reflect waves rather than absorb them?

MetalFoamBlack fabricSunscreen

In the passage, what is one way sound absorption is used in real life?

Making soundproof rooms quieterMaking clothes warmerAllowing more light in windowsBlocking all electromagnetic waves

What does the term "thermal energy" mean as used in the passage?

Energy in the form of heat created by absorptionEnergy that bounces off materialsOnly the energy from sunlightThe energy used to make sound

What is the "angle of incidence" as discussed in the passage?

The angle at which a wave strikes a surfaceThe temperature of a materialThe color of the materialThe amount of sound in a room