Physical Science: Physics · Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation

HS-PS4-3Wave and Particle Models of Light

Performance expectation

Evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning behind the idea that electromagnetic radiation can be described either by a wave model or a particle model (quantum theory), and that for some situations one model is more useful than the other.

What NYSED says about assessing it

Clarification statement

Emphasis is on how the experimental evidence supports the claim and how a theory is generally modified in light of new evidence. Examples of a phenomenon could include resonance, interference, diffraction, and photoelectric effect.

Assessment boundary

Assessment of the photoelectric effect is limited to qualitative descriptions.

The three dimensions

Every item written to HS-PS4-3 has to assess all three dimensions together, not the content alone. This is the structural change that made older practice material stop matching the exam.

Science & engineering practice

Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Disciplinary core ideas
  • PS4.A: Wave Properties
  • PS4.B: Electromagnetic Radiation
Crosscutting concepts
  • Systems and System Models

Related performance expectations

Generate a cluster for HS-PS4-3

Phenomenon stimulus, connected items across the required types, answer key, rubric and figures drawn deterministically from a structured spec — in the format your students will sit.